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Incident
Patrolman Doc Lefler was shot and killed as he and Officers Hunt and Erwin attempted to arrest a man for assaulting his wife. The officers surrounded the home of suspect and Officer Lefler entered and placed the suspect under arrest. As Officer Lefler led the suspect away from the house he stopped to wait for the other officers, releasing his hold on the suspect. The suspect pulled a gun from his pocket and shot Officer Lefler multiple times at close range, killing him, and then fired on Officers Hunt and Erwin, striking Officer Hunt twice in the leg. The two officers fired back and struck the suspect, however, the suspect escaped.
Survivors
Patrolman Lefler was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Patrolman Lefler served with the Ashland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ashland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lefler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ashland Police Department has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Doc is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Doc is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Doc 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 1921, 1 officer at Ashland Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 16 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Doc was 52. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Ashland Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 60.3; the middle age was 47.
Doc was 52. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Doc was 52. 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.
Doc was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 33.3% of these deaths at Ashland Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 33.3%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Ashland Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Ashland Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Doc among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Ashland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
