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Incident
Chief Jimmy Tolson was shot and killed by an 19-year-old youth as he sat in city hall. Chief Tolson was sitting at his desk talking with his brother and his girlfriend when the suspect fired a single shot from a parked car across the street. The bullet, fired through the window, struck Chief Tolson in the head killing him instantly. Chief Tolson's brother grabbed his brother's service revolver and fired six shots at the suspect as he fled in his car. When the car was found it had been hit twice. The suspect was later arrested at his home. He shot Chief Tolson in retaliation for arresting his brother earlier for being drunk and causing a disturbance. The suspect died in prison on January 24, 1994. Chief Tolson had previously served as a Wolfe County deputy sheriff.
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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.
Chief of Police Tolson served with the Campton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Campton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Tolson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jimmy is the only officer of Campton Police Department remembered here.
Jimmy is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Jimmy is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jimmy 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 1978, 1 officer in KY was killed feloniously, the 112th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jimmy was 23. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Jimmy had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jimmy was 23. 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. Jimmy had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jimmy was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jimmy had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Campton Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.6% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Campton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.