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Incident
Deputy James Day was shot and killed while attempting to arrest four men for dynamiting the Kentucky river, for the purpose of killing fish, that was illegal in Kentucky.
Upon hearing the explosions, Deputy Day went to the river and confronted the men. When he told them they were under arrest they opened fire on him. Despite being mortally wounded Deputy Day was able to return fire and wounded two of the men.
The subjects who shot Deputy Day, ages 24, 30, 30, and 34 were arrested and charged in connection with his murder. The four accused Deputy Day of firing on them first. Charges against all four, one the son of a state representative, were later dismissed
Deputy Day had served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office for only three months.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Day served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Day.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Letcher County Sheriff's Office has lost 19 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1904, 1 officer at Letcher County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 2.
In 1904, 6 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1904, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 82 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 30. Of the 15 killed feloniously at Letcher County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 45; the middle age was 39. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 0.6 years.
James was 30. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.3% of these deaths at Letcher County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 12.5%.
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.2% of all 19 deaths at Letcher County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Letcher County Sheriff's Office has 19 officers remembered here, James among them.
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William S. Wright
Jan 30, 1900
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William Wright
Apr 11, 1901
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James Day May 30, 1904
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Henry Day Feb 5, 1905
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Miles Hall Nov 1, 1921
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Charles Willard McKinney Nov 26, 1923
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James Robert Wright Jun 13, 1926
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Patrick Hagans Bates Jul 16, 1927
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Jesse Fulton Aug 21, 1927
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Joner Cornett Sep 2, 1928
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W. H. Carter
Feb 17, 1929
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Ebb Gibson Jun 6, 1930
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Jason Andrew Webb
Dec 24, 1931
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James T. Morgan Dec 18, 1932
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David Galloway
Dec 20, 1947
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Willard Hall
Dec 20, 1947
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Conley Potter
Aug 8, 1958
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Leonard Adams, Sr. Dec 6, 1961
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Raymond Warf
Oct 31, 1970
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
