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Incident
Deputy Constable Joel Wright succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 20 days earlier when he was shot by a young girl while arresting the girl's father on a warrant.
The girl saw Deputy Wright holding his pistol, and she ran up to him, grabbed his pistol, and shot him in the back. The 16-year-old girl and her father were both arrested after the shooting.
Two of Deputy Wright's second cousins were shot and killed in the line of duty while serving as law enforcement officers in Letcher County. Deputy William Wright was shot and killed on April 11, 1901, while serving the Letcher County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Constable Booker Wright was shot and killed on November 7, 1932, while serving with the Letcher County Constable's Office.
Deputy Constable Wright was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Constable Wright was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Constable Wright served with the Letcher County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Letcher County Constable's Office has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Joel is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Joel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 7 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
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.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joel was 36. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Joel was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Joel was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.3% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Letcher County Constable's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 2.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Letcher County Constable's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Letcher County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
