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Incident
Officer Roy Mardis was accidentally shot and killed by another officer in Mercer County while he and his bloodhound tracked an escapee who had committed a double-murder. He and the bloodhound had tracked the man through a cornfield and as the man ran from the field officers on the perimeter opened fire, accidentally striking Officer Mardis. The suspect Officer Mardis was tracking was apprehended and sentenced to death for the double murder. Officer Mardis had served with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven daughters.
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.
Officer Mardis gave the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Mardis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Roy is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Roy is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 2 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 1985, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1985, 75 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Roy was 35. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Roy had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Roy had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Roy had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Fridays: 16.1%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 16.4% of all 984 deaths in KY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
