Mose Hurt Littrell

Kentucky Highway Patrol — Frankfort, KY

Felonious

End of Watch March 14, 1938

Age 47

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Patrolman Mose Littrell was shot and killed on East Highway 80 near Short Creek, Kentucky after stopping to investigate a vehicle that was parked on the shoulder.

Patrolman Littrell was off duty when he observed the car with several men drinking next to it. The officer stopped his vehicle, approached the men, and instructed them to remove the car from the highway and to stop drinking. One of the men challenged him and asked what authority Patrolman Littrell had, at which point he produced his badge.

Patrolman Littrell observed that one of the men had a gun and he returned to his car, put his pistol in his pocket, and informed two hitchhikers that one of the men had a gun and to come assist him with arresting the man. As Patrolman Littrell approached the three men, one of them opened fire without saying a word, striking Patrolman Littrell in the chest and hip. Patrolman Littrell was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the chest several times, killing him.

The two hitchhikers with Patrolman Littrell took him to Somerset General Hospital where he was attended to before being transported to a hospital in Lexington. Patrolman Littrell succumbed to his wounds the following morning. The two other suspects were arrested a short time later and charged with drunkenness.

Patrolman Littrell was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and grandfather.

Survivors

Patrolman Littrell was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and grandfather.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-FD9D0EFF
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 Littrell served with the Kentucky Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Littrell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Kentucky Highway Patrol

Location Frankfort, KY

Platform Identity khp.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 14, 1938

Age 47

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Mose Hurt Littrell 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 Kentucky Highway Patrol, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Kentucky Highway Patrol

of 8 officers

62.5% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious