Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Charles Lacey succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on Christmas Eve while attempting to arrest a drunk subject.
The man was able to break away from ran down an alley. As Officer Lacey chased him the man turned and shot him in the leg. Despite the wound, Officer Lacey was able to catch him and struck him with his club. During the ensuing struggle the subject shot Officer Lacey in the abdomen. The man then fled as Officer Lacey fired at him.
Officer Lacey succumbed to his wounds three days later.
The 16-year-old subject who shot him was arrested, tried for murder, and acquitted.
Officer Lacey was also a member of the Cynthiana Volunteer Fire Department and the Kentucky State Guard.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-FF142590- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Lacey served with the Cynthiana Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cynthiana community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles Lacey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Charles Lacey 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 Cynthiana Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Lacey's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Lacey Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Lacey is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Lacey was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cynthiana Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
