Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Jailer Joel Park was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man for stealing a suit from another man.
The Madison County judge had asked Deputy Jailer Park to serve the warrant because the sheriff was out of town and the sheriff's deputies were occupied with other business.
Deputy Park accompanied the complainant to a home in Garrard County where the suspect's brother lived. As they approached the home they saw the brother and the suspect. Deputy Park announced that they had a warrant and informed the man he was under arrest.
As the man attempted to draw a pistol Deputy Park fired two warning shots from a small-caliber pistol. At that moment, the suspect's brother took the man's pistol, ran around the house, and then shot Deputy Park in the back.
After being wounded, Deputy Park drew his larger-caliber pistol and returned fire, striking the man in the leg. He then walked to a nearby store where a doctor was summoned.
Deputy Park succumbed to his wound several hours later.
Joel, On today, the 130th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Madison County.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol May 27th, 2021
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-DB74CDDE- 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
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Jailer Park served with the Madison County Detention Center.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Jailer Joel C. Park 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joel C. Park's cause is highlighted.
How Joel C. Park Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joel C. Park is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joel C. Park was killed by handgun.