Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Howard and Jailer Kavanaugh Tipton were shot and killed by a horse thief they attempted to arrest in a house near the head of Peter Trace Creek in Menifee County.
The suspect opened fire as the officers entered the house, killing both Deputy Howard and Jailer Tipton, and seriously wounded another deputy. The wounded deputy tried to pursue the suspect as he fled from the house but was attacked by two dogs that nearly killed him. The suspect was captured by a posse the next day.
The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 20th, 1892. He died in prison on September 7th, 1893, from typhoid fever.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-CCACE00D- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Howard served with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Sterling community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Howard 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 Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 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. Thomas Howard's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Howard Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Howard is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Howard was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Montgomery County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
