Roll of Honor
Booker Van Buren Wright
Incident
Deputy Constable Booker Wright was shot and killed when he went to a house to arrest a suspect on a warrant with an officer from the Neon Police Department.
When Deputy Constable Wright arrived at the suspect's home near Haymond to serve a warrant for public intoxication, the suspect opened fire. Deputy Constable Wright was able to return fire but was struck in the leg by one of the rounds, which severed his artery. The suspect was arrested by the other officer and charged with murder. He was found not guilty by reason of self-defense.
Two of Deputy Constable Wright's second cousins were shot and killed in the line of duty while serving as law enforcement officers in Letcher County. Deputy William Wright was shot and killed on April 11th, 1901, and Deputy Constable Joel Wright was shot and killed on August 24th, 1916.
Deputy Constable Wright was a United States Marine Corps veteran.
When Deputy Constable Wright arrived at the suspect's home near Haymond to serve a warrant for public intoxication, the suspect opened fire. Deputy Constable Wright was able to return fire but was struck in the leg by one of the rounds, which severed his artery.
The suspect was arrested by the other officer and charged with murder. He was found not guilty by reason of self-defense.
Deputy Constable Wright was a United States Marine Corps veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-B045C2C1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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.
Deputy Constable Wright served with the Letcher County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg 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
Booker Van Buren Wright served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Constable Booker Van Buren Wright is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 22.9 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Letcher County Constable's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Booker Van Buren Wright's cause is highlighted.
How Booker Van Buren Wright Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Booker Van Buren Wright is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Booker Van Buren Wright was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Military Service
Booker Van Buren Wright served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Booker Van Buren Wright’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Letcher County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
