Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief McReynolds was shot and killed by a suspect who had assaulted a female friend in the county earlier in the day. When the woman threatened to call the sheriff the man drove to the county courthouse. When the man failed to locate the sheriff he walked across the street to city hall, located an officer inside, and held him at gunpoint. A firefighter who witnessed the man walking into the city hall drove to Chief McReynolds' home and informed him of the incident. Chief McReynolds, who knew the suspect, responded to the scene unarmed. The situation deteriorated as the chief attempted to talk the man into surrendering. Chief McReynolds took the other officer's revolver and engaged the suspect in a shootout in which the chief and the suspect were both fatally wounded. Chief McReynolds died the following day.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-99DA019D- 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.
Chief of Police McReynolds served with the Murray Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Murray community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police McReynolds.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Novel McReynolds 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 Murray Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Novel McReynolds's cause is highlighted.
How Novel McReynolds Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Novel McReynolds is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Novel McReynolds was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Murray Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
