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Incident
Guard Hodge Cunningham, Guard V.B. Mattingly and Guard William Gilbert were shot and killed by inmates who were attempting to take over the dining room at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville.
The three suspects were found dead three days later after officers stormed the dining facility; One had been killed during the ensuing standoff and the other two had committed suicide.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Cunningham served with the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Cunningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kentucky Department of Corrections has lost 17 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Hodge is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Hodge is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hodge 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 1923, 3 officers at Kentucky Department of Corrections were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 21 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
October holds 33.3% of these deaths at Kentucky Department of Corrections, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 44.4%.
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.9% of all 17 deaths at Kentucky Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kentucky Department of Corrections has 17 officers remembered here, Hodge among them.
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George L. Ball
May 8, 1884
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H. Edward Taylor
Jul 12, 1899
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Hodge Cunningham Oct 3, 1923
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William Gilbert Oct 3, 1923
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V. B. Mattingly Oct 3, 1923
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William Moneymaker Apr 21, 1931
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L. R. Gumm
Dec 17, 1945
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Julius R. Cummins
Jul 21, 1949
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Owen Davenport Jul 18, 1956
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Patricia Ross
Mar 1, 1984
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Charles Frederick Cash
May 9, 1986
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Thomas Anthony Brooks
Aug 13, 2020
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David M. Ragle
Dec 19, 2020
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Jonathan Howard Tosh
Sep 8, 2021
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Thomas Alan Beard
Sep 29, 2021
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Hunter Scott Miller
Jul 25, 2024
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George Ramirez
Mar 10, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 8-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Kentucky Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
