Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Burkhart was shot and killed while attempting to transport a 20-year-old prisoner to the county jail for causing a disturbance at a school festival. Deputy Burkhart had stopped for a red light when the prisoner's parents pulled up behind him, got out, and opened fire on Deputy Burkhart's patrol car. His mother, 39, went to one side of the car, and his father, 64, went to the other side. Both fired 50 rounds from different caliber weapons, hitting Deputy Burkhart nine times. All of the suspects fled the scene after the shooting but were captured a short time later. On May 24, 1969, the parents was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. On June 24, 1970, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld their convictions, but both were released at some point before June 12, 1978, the date the father died in Cincinnati, Ohio. From 1907 to 1976, 38 law enforcement officers have been shot and killed in Harlan County, Kentucky, more than all U.S. counties per capita.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-DE77D37C- Stewardship
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- 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 Burkhart 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 Burkhart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Burkhart 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. Oscar Burkhart's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar Burkhart Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar Burkhart is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar Burkhart was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
