Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Frank Abell was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a subject.
Another citizen had sworn out the warrant alleging the subject had committed a minor offense. Marshal Abell located the man at his home and told him to accompany him to jail. The subject initially cooperated but then told Marshal Abell to go ahead and he would meet him at the jail.
As Marshall Abell took the man by the arm the man pulled out a handgun and shot him. Marshal Abell was taken to his sister's home where he died a short time later.
The subject fled to the Union County Fairgrounds where he was arrested by a posse a short time later. He was taken to the jail in Owensboro to prevent him from being lynched.
Marshal Abell had only served as city marshal for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A1132159- 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.
City Marshal Abell served with the Uniontown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Uniontown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Abell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Frank Lacost Abell 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Lacost Abell's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Lacost Abell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Lacost Abell is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Lacost Abell was killed by handgun.