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Incident
Sheriff Roy Conway was shot in the back and killed in his front yard by two brothers angry over his crackdown on bootlegging and gambling. Sheriff Conway and his deputies had raided their father's drinking establishment earlier. Both brothers, 23 and 28, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 28, 1950. Sheriff Conway had been elected only six months earlier. He was survived by his wife and four daughters. His wife was appointed to serve the remainder of his term as sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four daughters.
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.
Sheriff Conway served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Conway.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pike County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy 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 1950, 1 officer at Pike County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1950, 7 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 44. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pike County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 45; the middle age was 43. Roy had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 0.9 years.
Roy was 44. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Roy had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Roy was 44. 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. Roy had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 15.4% of these deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 23.1%. Fridays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Fridays: 12.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.3% of all 16 deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.7% 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
Pike County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, Roy 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
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.
