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Incident
Posse Member William Wright was shot and killed when he and other posse members were ambushed.
Deputies and posse members were en route to serve murder warrants on two suspects when a group of men ambushed them. Deputy Wright was mortally wounded and died the next day. Both suspects were eventually apprehended and charged with Deputy Wright's murder.
One of the suspects had shot and killed Posse Member Wright's father, Deputy Sheriff William Wright, who was with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office on January 30, 1900. He was out of jail after posting a bond. In 1902, he was convicted of both murders and sentenced to 15 years for Deputy Wright's murder and life for his father's murder.
Deputy Wright had joined as a posse member to capture the suspect who killed his father. He was only 18 years old.
Two of Deputy Wright's second cousins were shot and killed in the line of duty while serving as law enforcement officers in Letcher County. Deputy Joel Wright was shot and killed on August 24, 1916, while serving the Letcher County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Constable Booker Wright was shot and killed on November 7, 1932, while serving with the Letcher County Constable's Office.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Posse Member Wright served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Posse Member Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Letcher County Sheriff's Office has lost 19 officers; 16 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 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1901, 1 officer at Letcher County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 2.
In 1901, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 18. Of the 15 killed feloniously at Letcher County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 45; the middle age was 39. William had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 0.6 years.
William was 18. 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 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 18. 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. William had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 18. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 6.3% of these deaths at Letcher County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.2% of all 19 deaths at Letcher County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.3% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Letcher County Sheriff's Office has 19 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William S. Wright
Jan 30, 1900
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William Wright
Apr 11, 1901
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James Day May 30, 1904
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Henry Day Feb 5, 1905
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Miles Hall Nov 1, 1921
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Charles Willard McKinney Nov 26, 1923
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James Robert Wright Jun 13, 1926
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Patrick Hagans Bates Jul 16, 1927
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Jesse Fulton Aug 21, 1927
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Joner Cornett Sep 2, 1928
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W. H. Carter
Feb 17, 1929
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Ebb Gibson Jun 6, 1930
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Jason Andrew Webb
Dec 24, 1931
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James T. Morgan Dec 18, 1932
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David Galloway
Dec 20, 1947
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Willard Hall
Dec 20, 1947
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Conley Potter
Aug 8, 1958
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Leonard Adams, Sr. Dec 6, 1961
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Raymond Warf
Oct 31, 1970
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
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