Roll of Honor
George Cassell
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff George Cassell was shot and killed while searching for two men who escaped from the state penitentiary.
The sheriff was notified after the two men had been spotted several miles from Lexington walking along Tate's Creek Pike. The sheriff deputized several citizens to accompany him as a posse to arrest the two men. As the posse closed in on their position, the men ran into a cornfield to hide.
Three of the posse member, including Special Deputy Cassell, followed their tracks through the corn but were suddenly ambushed. Special Deputy Cassell was shot twice and killed.
The other posse members returned fire and then retreated from the cornfield. The entire posse then began proceeding through the cornfield. When they encountered the subjects a second time the posse opened fire, killing both men.
Special Deputy Cassell was survived by his wife and nine children. He was a Confederate Civil War Veteran who served as a Sergeant with the 8th Kentucky Calvary, Company B.
Survivors
Special Deputy Cassell was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A3D70289- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Deputy Sheriff Cassell served with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
George Cassell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Deputy Sheriff George Cassell 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 Fayette County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Cassell's cause is highlighted.
How George Cassell Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Cassell is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Cassell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Fayette County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
