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Incident
Sheriff Samuel Catron was shot and killed in an assassination while leaving a political rally at the Shopville-Stab Fire Department in Shopville, Kentucky, at 7:15 p.m.
He has just given a campaign speech for the upcoming election in which he was running for his fifth term as sheriff. A suspect shot Sheriff Catron in the head with a high-powered rifle as he placed two cakes he had just purchased from a fundraiser into his patrol car. Sheriff Catron was wearing a vest at the time.
The suspect then attempted to flee the scene on a motorcycle but was apprehended by a deputy and a firefighter several miles away. The suspect was charged with capital murder. Two other suspects, including one of Sheriff Catron's former deputies and opponent in the election, were also charged with complicity to murder. Two of the suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One died in prison in 2018. The shooter and opponent in the election will be up for parole in 2027.
Sheriff Catron's father, Harold Catron Sr., was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 16, 1964, while serving as Chief of Police for the Somerset, Kentucky, Police Department.
Sheriff Catron had been with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department for 28 years and had served as sheriff since 1986.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, brother, and two 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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Catron gave the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Somerset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Catron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department has lost 9 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 2002, 1 officer at Pulaski County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
In 2002, 1 officer in KY was killed feloniously, the 112th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 78 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 48. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Pulaski County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 48; the middle age was 37. Samuel had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 28 years.
Samuel was 48. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Samuel had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Samuel was 48. 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. Samuel had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 12.5% of these deaths at Pulaski County Sheriff's Department; July holds the most, 37.5%. Saturdays: 12.5%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 88.9% of all 9 deaths at Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.6% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Pulaski County Sheriff's Department has 9 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Pulaski County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
