Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Creech was shot and killed when he was confronted by family members of a man he had arrested shortly before Christmas.
Several of the family members and their friends were walking through town on Christmas Day declaring they were going to get revenge on Patrolman Creech. Patrolman Creech and a Harlan County sheriff's deputy encountered the group and were fired upon. During the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Patrolman Creech and one of the family members were killed. The deputy and two men in the group were wounded.
One of the family members was charged with murder and tried four times, with each trial ending in a hung jury. The man was pardoned by the governor before a fifth trial was started.
Patrolman Creech was survived by his wife, three children, and parents.
Survivors
Patrolman Creech was survived by his wife, three children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-FA5F8888- 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.
Patrolman Creech served with the Poor Fork Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cumberland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Creech.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Henry Creech 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 Poor Fork 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. John Henry Creech's cause is highlighted.
How John Henry Creech Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Henry Creech is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Poor Fork Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
