Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Constable Joel Wright succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 20 days earlier when he was shot by a young girl while arresting the girl's father on a warrant.
The girl saw Deputy Wright holding his pistol, and she ran up to him, grabbed his pistol, and shot him in the back. The 16-year-old girl and her father were both arrested after the shooting.
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 William Wright was shot and killed on April 11, 1901, 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.
Deputy Constable Wright was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Constable Wright was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-CECED724- 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 Joel. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Constable Wright served with the Letcher County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Constable Joel Martin 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 Constable's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joel Martin Wright's cause is highlighted.
How Joel Martin Wright Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joel Martin Wright is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joel Martin Wright was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Letcher County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
