Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dave Coleman was shot and killed in Phelps, Kentucky, while investigating a disturbance.
He and a deputy marshal were attempting to arrest a drunk subject when the man fired a shotgun, killing him. The subject, 26, who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years.
Deputy Coleman had served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-C081E30D- 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Coleman gave the Pike County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coleman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Dave Coleman, Jr. 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 Pike County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dave Coleman, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Dave Coleman, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dave Coleman, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dave Coleman, Jr. was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
