Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Berry Hensley was shot and killed from ambush near his home in Smith, Kentucky.
Two suspects shot him in the back with a shotgun and then fled into the mountains. The two suspects were arrested in connection with his murder but later released due to insufficient evidence. On September 4, 1932, one was stuck and killed by a train near Smith.
Just learned of this distant relatives existence, profession, and ultimate fate. Am so proud of the people my bloodline has produced out of Harlan Co. and especially proud of this one that gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the good folks of Harlan. God rest your soul, Deputy Berry Hensley.
Jeff Hensley Distant relative January 15th, 2023
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-D8394BD4- 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 Hensley 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 Hensley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Berry Hensley 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. Berry Hensley's cause is highlighted.
How Berry Hensley Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Berry Hensley is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Berry Hensley was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
