William Gilbert

Kentucky Department of Corrections — Frankfort, KY

Felonious

End of Watch October 3, 1923

The Vigil Panel 46 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 16

Incident

Guard William Gilbert, Guard V.B. Mattingly and Guard Hodge Cunningham were shot and killed by inmates who were attempting to take over the dining room at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville.

The three suspects were found dead three days later after officers stormed the dining facility; One had been killed during the ensuing standoff and the other two had committed suicide.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-C2A542C6
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.
Guard Gilbert served with the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Gilbert.

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

Agency

Department Kentucky Department of Corrections

Location Frankfort, KY

Platform Identity kentcorr.franklin.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 3, 1923

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Committed suicide

Guard William Gilbert 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 Kentucky Department of Corrections, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.

Kentucky Department of Corrections

of 17 officers

52.9% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious