Prev
Incident
Sheriff Walter Meek was shot and killed while attempting to serve a lunacy warrant on a mentally deranged man along Route 23 behind the Paul B. Hall Medical Center. The subject committed suicide after murdering Sheriff Meek. In addition to serving as sheriff, Sheriff Meek was also a well known barber in Paintsville, Kentucky.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn56s2rsynmbr53nb856- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Walter. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Meek served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Paintsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Meek.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1966, 1 officer at Johnson County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1966, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 28. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Johnson County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 51.3; the middle age was 34.
Walter was 28. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Walter was 28. 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.
Walter was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Johnson County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 50%.
November holds 10.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Johnson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
