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Incident
Trooper Clint Cunningham was shot and killed in an ambush in Franklin County. Trooper Cunningham was shot in the back while investigating a false report of a burglary at a grocery store. The suspect was arrested at his home a short time later. The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of Trooper Cunningham's murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Trooper Cunningham had been with the Kentucky State Police for three years and had previously served with the Lexington Police Department and the Richmond Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents.
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.
Trooper Cunningham gave the Kentucky State Police 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Cunningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
KY State Police has lost 30 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Clinton is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Clinton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clinton 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 1979, 2 officers at KY State Police were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1979, 5 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clinton was 29. Of the 13 killed feloniously at KY State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 34; the middle age was 29. Clinton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Clinton was 29. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Clinton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Clinton was 29. 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. Clinton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clinton was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clinton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.7% of these deaths at KY State Police; December holds the most, 15.4%. Sundays: 30.8%.
February holds 6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Sundays: 18.7%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 43.3% of all 30 deaths at KY State Police, the 2nd 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
KY State Police has 30 officers remembered here, Clinton among them.
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Harold J. Toll
Nov 14, 1948
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Robert Renaker Miller
Feb 14, 1951
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Lee Trebu Huffman
May 8, 1953
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Herbert C. Bush
Oct 11, 1958
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William Everett Tevis
May 26, 1963
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Elmer Mobley, Jr.
May 28, 1964
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Cecil Walter Uzzle
May 28, 1964
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Delano G. Powell
Jul 8, 1965
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Mack Edward Brady
Nov 9, 1966
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William Harrel Barrett
Dec 19, 1971
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James Willard McNeely
Apr 8, 1972
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Walter Orville Thurtell
Sep 29, 1972
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Joe Ward, Jr.
Apr 23, 1973
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William Carter Smith
Apr 26, 1973
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John Wayne Hutchinson
Jun 4, 1975
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Bobby Allen McCoun, Jr.
Sep 1, 1975
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William Francis Pickard
Jan 21, 1976
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Willis Durwood Martin
Apr 26, 1977
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Clinton Eugene Cunningham
Feb 11, 1979
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Edward Ray Harris
Nov 7, 1979
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Jerome Scott Clifton
Oct 1, 1980
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Darrell Vendl Phelps
Aug 7, 1981
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Johnny Montague Edrington
Dec 20, 1988
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Johnny Gordon Adkins
Nov 24, 1995
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Jonathan Kyle Leonard
Dec 19, 2006
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Anson Blake Tribby
Jan 22, 2013
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Eric Keith Chrisman
Jun 23, 2015
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David Ray Gibbs
Aug 7, 2015
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Joseph Cameron Ponder
Sep 13, 2015
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Hayden Phillips
Sep 28, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
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Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from KY State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
