Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Richard Read was shot and killed by a man disturbing the peace at a public picnic. When ordered to be quiet, the suspect drew a revolver and shot him twice. A citizen, who witnessed the shooting, returned fire, seriously wounding the suspect.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life November 16, 1902. Later that same day an angry mob seized the suspect from the Hardin County Jail and hanged him from the nearest tree.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-9AB87B9C- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Read served with the Hardin County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabethtown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Read.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Richard Read 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 Hardin County Sheriff's Dept., 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. Richard Read's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Read Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Read is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Read was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hardin County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
