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Incident
Patrolman Mose Littrell was shot and killed on East Highway 80 near Short Creek, Kentucky after stopping to investigate a vehicle that was parked on the shoulder.
Patrolman Littrell was off duty when he observed the car with several men drinking next to it. The officer stopped his vehicle, approached the men, and instructed them to remove the car from the highway and to stop drinking. One of the men challenged him and asked what authority Patrolman Littrell had, at which point he produced his badge.
Patrolman Littrell observed that one of the men had a gun and he returned to his car, put his pistol in his pocket, and informed two hitchhikers that one of the men had a gun and to come assist him with arresting the man. As Patrolman Littrell approached the three men, one of them opened fire without saying a word, striking Patrolman Littrell in the chest and hip. Patrolman Littrell was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the chest several times, killing him.
The two hitchhikers with Patrolman Littrell took him to Somerset General Hospital where he was attended to before being transported to a hospital in Lexington. Patrolman Littrell succumbed to his wounds the following morning. The two other suspects were arrested a short time later and charged with drunkenness.
Patrolman Littrell was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and grandfather.
Survivors
Patrolman Littrell was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and grandfather.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Littrell served with the Kentucky Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Littrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kentucky Highway Patrol has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Mose is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Mose is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mose 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 1938, 1 officer at Kentucky Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 2.
In 1938, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mose was 47. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Kentucky Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Mose was 47. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Mose was 47. 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.
Mose was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Kentucky Highway Patrol; December holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 20%.
March holds 7.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Kentucky Highway Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kentucky Highway Patrol has 8 officers remembered here, Mose among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Kentucky Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
