Incident
Sheriff Earl Scott was killed in an automobile crash on the Logan-Huntington Highway near Salt Rock, Cabell County, West Virginia.
He had traveled to West Virginia with another deputy and Pike County attorney to extradite two prisoners to Pike County. The prisoners had been placed in a West Virginia State Police patrol car, and they were caravaning to Huntington to appear for an extradition hearing. A state highway truck attempted to pass Sheriff Scott's car but cut back into his lane too early and struck the front fender. His car went out of control and overturned, ejecting him and then landing on top of him.
The driver of the state highway truck was immediately arrested and charged with manslaughter.
Sheriff Scott had served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office for five years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son. His wife served as sheriff until a new sheriff was appointed.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
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.
Sheriff Scott gave the Pike County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Scott.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pike County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Earl is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Earl is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1939, 5 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 1939, 61 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 72nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1939, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Earl was 44. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Earl had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Earl had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Earl had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 18.8% of all 16 deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 16.4% of all 984 deaths in KY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pike County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
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Charles Smith Mar 19, 1911
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Patton Bartley
Feb 19, 1917
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Walter Deal Jan 10, 1921
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Jesse Ferrell May 30, 1925
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Louis Casebolt
May 25, 1926
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Frank Phillips Dec 13, 1926
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Thomas C. Tackett
Dec 16, 1929
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John Allen
Jul 20, 1930
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Boyd Westin Hatfield Nov 11, 1931
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Earl Scott
Jan 7, 1939
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John F. Cable Oct 2, 1940
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Roy Conway
Jul 28, 1950
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Dave Coleman, Jr.
Aug 3, 1951
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Earl Smith May 15, 1979
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Poyster Keene
May 8, 1993
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James Ireland Thacker
Jan 23, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.







