Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ball was shot and killed by an unknown person as he was attempting to arrest two suspects. His partner was also wounded.
Deputy Ball was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Ball was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EC011B23- 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 Ball gave the McCreary County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Whitley City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ball.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Farris Ball 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 McCreary County Sheriff'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. James Farris Ball's cause is highlighted.
How James Farris Ball Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Farris Ball is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Farris Ball was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from McCreary County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
