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Incident
Sheriff Robert McMurtry was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for murdering Special Deputy Marshal James Wood, of the Upton Police Department, three days earlier. The man had been located at a home and Sheriff McMurtry went to arrest him. As he searched the house shot him while hiding in the attic. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair on July 30, 1915.
Survivors
Sheriff McMurtry was survived by his wife.
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.
Sheriff McMurtry served with the Hardin County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elizabethtown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McMurtry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hardin County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1914, 8 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 36. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Robert was 36. 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.
Robert was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Hardin County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% 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
Hardin County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hardin County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
