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Incident
Trooper William Pickard was shot and killed while assisting the Hodgenville Police Department in serving an assault and menacing warrant. When Trooper Pickard attempted to talk to the subject and approached the home. The subject fired through the door, striking Trooper Pickard, who was mortally wounded. The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Trooper Pickard had served with the Kentucky State Police for over three years. He was survived by his wife, son, mother, grandmother, and sister. A five-mile stretch of KY 61 in Larue County was renamed the “Trooper William F. Pickard Memorial Highway.”
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, mother, grandmother, and sister.
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 Pickard gave the Kentucky State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Pickard.
— 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.
William is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at KY State Police was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 2.
In 1976, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 26. Of the 13 killed feloniously at KY State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 34; the middle age was 29. William had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 26. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. William had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.7% of these deaths at KY State Police; December holds the most, 15.4%. Wednesdays: 30.8%.
January holds 6.2% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 43.3% of all 30 deaths at KY State Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.8% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
KY State Police has 30 officers remembered here, William 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 18-W
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