Chief of Police

Edward H. Powell

Felonious
End of Watch May 16, 1916
Age 35
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 6 mo
Gender Male

Incident

Chief of Police Edward Powell was shot and killed by a former police officer during an argument about assignments. The two were attending the opening of a restaurant at Clark Station by another former officer when the argument started. During the argument the man punched Chief Powell in the face, prompting Chief Powell to pin him to the ground. The man then drew his revolver and shot Chief Powell. The man was sentenced to two years for the murder but was pardoned by the governor at the request of one of the man's friends. Five years later the man also shot and killed this same friend and was sentenced to death for that murder. He was executed in 1924. Chief Powell had served as police chief for six months and previously served as a county probation officer for several years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Powell gave the Jefferson County Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Powell.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
Platform Identity jcpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 16, 1916
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 6 mo
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Edward was 35. 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. Edward had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Jefferson County Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Edward among them.

VI

Where

Chief of Police Edward H. Powell

Jefferson County Police Department · End of Watch May 16, 1916

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W

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