Roll of Honor
Herbert D. Proffitt
Incident
Chief of Police (Ret) Herbert Proffitt was shot and killed from ambush in the driveway of his home by a man whom he had arrested multiple times over the past 40 years. He was walking down his driveway to check his mail when the subject drove up and opened fire, killing him.
The 81-year-old suspect fled the scene but was arrested several hours later.
It was later determined that Chief Proffitt had first arrested the man for domestic violence in the 1970s. The conviction resulted in the man spending several years in the state penitentiary. Chief Proffitt arrested the man several more times after his release from prison. When he was arrested for Chief Proffitt's murder, he had copies of the original citations in his possession.
Chief Proffitt was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He had served in law enforcement for 55 years, including as chief of the Tompkinsville Police Department and sheriff of Monroe County. He returned to work as a bailiff with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office after retiring the first time in 2000. He retired again in 2009 at the age of 79.
Absolutely senseless. Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 28th, 2020
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BO-US-KY-BD735A95- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Proffitt gave the Tompkinsville Police Department 55 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tompkinsville community, and 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
Herbert D. Proffitt served in the Army (1951â1953) before joining law enforcement.
Chief of Police Herbert D. Proffitt 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. Herbert D. Proffitt's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert D. Proffitt Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert D. Proffitt is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herbert D. Proffitt was killed by handgun.