Incident
Lieutenant Owen Davenport was stabbed to death in the prison yards of the Kentucky State Penitentiary. The 23-year-old inmate, serving a five year sentence for a 1954 larceny conviction, stabbed Lieutenant Davenport in the throat with a home-made knife. He said he was high on smuggled drugs and had know memory of the incident. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in 1958. On May 4, 1967, he and three other inmates were charged with holding a guard hostage at knifepoint in an effort to escape from Eddyville State Penitentiary. Lieutenant Davenport had served with the Kentucky Department of Corrections for 13 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Davenport gave the Kentucky Department of Corrections 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Davenport.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kentucky Department of Corrections has lost 17 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Owen is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Owen is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Owen 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 1956, 1 officer at Kentucky Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1956, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1956, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Owen was 57. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Kentucky Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 37.3 and 57; the middle age was 47.5. Owen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Owen was 57. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Owen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Owen was 57. 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. Owen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Owen was 57. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Owen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.1% of these deaths at Kentucky Department of Corrections; October holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 44.4%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.9% of all 17 deaths at Kentucky Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 22.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 0.8% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Kentucky Department of Corrections has 17 officers remembered here, Owen among them.
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George L. Ball
May 8, 1884
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H. Edward Taylor
Jul 12, 1899
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Hodge Cunningham Oct 3, 1923
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William Gilbert Oct 3, 1923
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V. B. Mattingly Oct 3, 1923
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William Moneymaker Apr 21, 1931
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L. R. Gumm
Dec 17, 1945
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Julius R. Cummins
Jul 21, 1949
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Owen Davenport Jul 18, 1956
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Patricia Ross
Mar 1, 1984
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Charles Frederick Cash
May 9, 1986
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Thomas Anthony Brooks
Aug 13, 2020
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David M. Ragle
Dec 19, 2020
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Jonathan Howard Tosh
Sep 8, 2021
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Thomas Alan Beard
Sep 29, 2021
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Hunter Scott Miller
Jul 25, 2024
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George Ramirez
Mar 10, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Kentucky Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.











