Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jesse Peters succumbed to gunshot wound sustained two months earlier while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public.
During the arrest the man opened fire, wounding Deputy Peters and killing a bystander. Despite being wounded, Deputy Peters returned fire and wounded the suspect as well.
Deputy Peters was taken to Harlan Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds on June 30, 1923. The suspect was identified but never charged.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-930E4132- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Peters served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Peters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Jesse Peters is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Harlan County Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesse Peters's cause is highlighted.
How Jesse Peters Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse Peters is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse Peters was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.






