Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Willie Lewis was shot and killed from ambush near his home by two brothers in retaliation for an earlier incident. Six weeks earlier one of the suspects and three other men were drunk and causing a disturbance in Hyden. One of the men had recently been acquitted of the murder of Deputy Sheriff Sam Fields, of the Perry County Sheriff's Office, on November 10th, 1956. Deputy Lewis shot and killed Deputy Fields' killer as the Leslie County Sheriff was trying to wrestle a gun from him. The suspects, ages 18 and 20, were arrested and charged with murder. The subject who shot him was found not guilty. Deputy Lewis had served with the Leslie County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-B51D3B46- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Lewis gave the Leslie County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hyden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Willie James Lewis, Sr. 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 Leslie County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willie James Lewis, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Willie James Lewis, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willie James Lewis, Sr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willie James Lewis, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Leslie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
