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Incident
Chief of Police Cloyd Charlton was shot and killed by a man whom he had issued a traffic ticket several days earlier following an accident. The man had been ticketed for driving without a Kentucky operator's license. After being ticketed, the man threatened Chief Charlton's life. Several days later, Chief Charlton observed the man driving again and attempted to stop him. The man refused to stop and was chased to his farm. As Chief Charlton exited his patrol car, the suspect fired at him, fatally wounding him. The man then shot him again with a different gun and shot his patrol car with a shotgun. The man was taken into custody after his wife called the county sheriff to report the incident. The 52-year-old farmer was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to one year. Chief Charlton had served as the only Adairville Police Department's policeman for 11 months and had previously served with the Gallatin Police Department in Tennessee.
Survivors
He was survived by four daughters, his mother, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Charlton gave the Adairville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Adairville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Charlton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Adairville Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Cloyd is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Cloyd is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cloyd is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 4 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cloyd was 37. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Cloyd had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Cloyd was 37. 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. Cloyd had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cloyd was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cloyd had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Adairville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 33.3% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Adairville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Cloyd among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Adairville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
