Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal Floyd Hensley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public.
During the arrest the man produced a handgun and shot Marshal Hensley in the neck, killing him instantly. The man was arrested a short time later and immediately transferred to the Madison County Jail to prevent him from being lynched.
The 22-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was eventually released and was killed when he was struck by a passenger train on November 22, 1949.
Marshal Hensley had only served with the Beattyville Police Department for three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-F33B4C63- 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.
Night Marshal Hensley served with the Beattyville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Beattyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Hensley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal Floyd 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 Beattyville Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Floyd Hensley's cause is highlighted.
How Floyd Hensley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Floyd Hensley is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Floyd Hensley was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Beattyville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.