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Incident
Deputy Marshal Lige Hoskins was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance at a local soft drink stand.
The proprietor of the sand had gotten into an argument with another man the previous week, in which both men had threatened each other. The argument had become more heated and it was believed it would end in violence between the two. A friend of the proprietor had convinced him to go home to avoid any violence.
After the proprietor went home, the other subject and several of his family members went to the soft drink stand and started drinking. Deputy Marshal Hoskins, who was aware of the feud, went to check up on them but was confronted by one of the family members who told him to remove his hand from his pocket.
When Deputy Marshal Hoskins refused to remove his hand from his pocket the man shot him in the leg. Deputy Marshal Hoskins immediately returned fire, killing the man. He then retreated out of the building, but was attacked by another family member. As the two struggled a third family member came from across the street and shot Deputy Marshal Hoskins four times, killing him.
The man who fatally shot Deputy Marshal Hoskins was arrested and charged with murder. On April 4, 1912, he was tried and acquitted.
Deputy Marshal Hoskins was survived by his wife and nine children. He is buried at Crab Orchard Cemetery, Crab Orchard, Kentucky.
Survivors
Deputy Marshal Hoskins was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Marshal Hoskins served with the Crab Orchard Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Crab Orchard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Marshal Hoskins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elijah is the only officer of Crab Orchard Police Department remembered here.
Elijah is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Elijah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elijah 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 1911, 15 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elijah was 38. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Elijah was 38. 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.
Elijah was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Crab Orchard Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
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