Charles Cecil
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Charles Cecil

Felonious
End of Watch February 17, 1902
The Vigil Panel 17 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Charles Cecil and Posseman John Doyle were shot and killed at a saloon near Middlesboro as they attempted to arrest several subjects who had stolen mules.

As they arrived on the scene with several possemen the bartender opened fire from a window killing Deputy Cecil. His companions returned fire killing the bartender. In an ensuing gun battle Posseman Doyle and several suspects were killed. Several others escaped.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A44B4792
Stewardship
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Cecil served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cecil.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Pineville, KY
Platform Identity bcso.bell.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 17, 1902
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle
Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff Charles Cecil 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 Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.

Bell County Sheriff's Department
24
of 26 officers
92.3% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Cecil's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Charles Cecil Compares

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Cecil is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Cecil was killed by rifle.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518