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Incident
Chief of Police Charles Elliott succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier when he was shot while he and a deputy from a local mining company attempted to raid a still in the mountains near Louellen, Kentucky. The two officers were ambushed near the site of the still and both were struck by a shotgun blast.
Although wounded in the neck, the other deputy was able to return to Louellen to get help. Other officers returned to the scene and had to carry Chief Elliott 1.5 miles on a stretcher to the nearest road. He was taken to Harlan Hospital where he died of his wounds two days later.
Two men were arrested and charged with murder. One was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1962. The other suspect was acquitted.
Chief Elliott had served in law enforcement for over 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, and three sisters.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Elliott gave the Louellen Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Louellen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Elliott.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Louellen Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1948, 10 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 43. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 43. 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. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Sundays: 18.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Louellen Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
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