Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Tom Blackburn was shot and killed after responding to a home where a group of drunk men were involved in a large brawl.
When he arrived at the house he was told the trouble was at a nearby home. As he turned to leave to investigate the other house he was shot in the back.
Several officers from Prestonburg responded to the scene and were engaged in a shootout with the suspect, who was fatally wounded.
Chief Blackburn was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Chief Blackburn was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-9B36E4C5- 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 Blackburn served with the Garrett Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Garrett community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Blackburn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police W. Tom Blackburn 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 Garrett Police Department, 2 of 2 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. W. Tom Blackburn's cause is highlighted.
How W. Tom Blackburn Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. Tom Blackburn is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. Tom Blackburn was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Garrett Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
