Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Isaac Pennington was shot and killed at the Black Mountain Coal Company's camp in Kenvir, Kentucky, by a subject who was seeking revenge against him for a previous arrest.
The man had recently been released from the federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia, after serving a two years sentence on a liquor law violation. Deputy Pennington was the chief witness against the man.
The subject, 35, was arrested after Deputy Pennington's murder. On August 31, 1934, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 13, 1943.
Deputy Pennington was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Pennington was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-D403BFFC- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Pennington served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pennington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Isaac Pennington 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 Harlan County Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Isaac Pennington's cause is highlighted.
How Isaac Pennington Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1943
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Isaac Pennington is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Isaac Pennington was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
