Roll of Honor
Incident
Posse Member William Wright was shot and killed when he and other posse members were ambushed.
Deputies and posse members were en route to serve murder warrants on two suspects when a group of men ambushed them. Deputy Wright was mortally wounded and died the next day. Both suspects were eventually apprehended and charged with Deputy Wright's murder.
One of the suspects had shot and killed Posse Member Wright's father, Deputy Sheriff William Wright, who was with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office on January 30, 1900. He was out of jail after posting a bond. In 1902, he was convicted of both murders and sentenced to 15 years for Deputy Wright's murder and life for his father's murder.
Deputy Wright had joined as a posse member to capture the suspect who killed his father. He was only 18 years old.
Two of Deputy Wright's second cousins were shot and killed in the line of duty while serving as law enforcement officers in Letcher County. Deputy Joel Wright was shot and killed on August 24, 1916, while serving the Letcher County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Constable Booker Wright was shot and killed on November 7, 1932, while serving with the Letcher County Constable's Office.
Uncle Willie,
Remembering you today on the 124th year since your murder. Thank you for your sacrifice. Your family has not forgotten you and what you have done. We will forever remember your heroism.
Benjamin Luntz
No rank, Benjamin Luntz Deputy William "Willie" Wright's nephew April 11th, 2025
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-C641698C- Stewardship
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- 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.
Posse Member Wright served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Posse Member Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Posse Member William Wright 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 Letcher County Sheriff's Office, 16 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Wright's cause is highlighted.
How William Wright Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1905
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Wright is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Wright was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
