Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Aquilla White was shot and killed while attempting to disperse a group of men who were acting disorderly on Lower Fifth Street, near the Southern Iron Works. A man grabbed his service revolver and shot him. The suspect was arrested a few days later in Louisville. On December 26th, 1896, a mob seized the suspect from the Owensboro jailer at gunpoint and hanged him. Patrolman White had served with the Owensboro Police Department for only 11 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-C6848C89- 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
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman White served with the Owensboro Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Owensboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Aquilla W. White 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 Owensboro Police Department, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Aquilla W. White's cause is highlighted.
How Aquilla W. White Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Aquilla W. White is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Aquilla W. White was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Owensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
