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Incident
Deputy Jailer Marvin Conover was shot and killed while assisting a deputy sheriff to serve a warrant on a man for failure to appear in court.
When the two lawmen arrived at the man's home in the northern part of the county, it was beginning to get dark. After serving the warrant, they decided to stay the night at the man's home and to return to the courthouse in the morning.
At some point during the night, the man's brother came to his home and was informed that his brother was under arrest. The man's brother then told the lawmen they would not be allowed to leave with the man in custody.
When morning came, Deputy Jailer Conover, the deputy, and the prisoner started out for the courthouse. After taking a few steps from the home, the brother appeared from behind a large tree and shot Deputy Jailer Conover with a 12-gauge shotgun. The deputy sheriff returned fire as the prisoner and brother escaped into the woods.
The brother was arrested following a search by a well-known tracker. However, he escaped from jail but was arrested again in Tennessee. He was returned to Adair County where he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He became ill in prison and was released after serving only 18 years. He died a short time after being released.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Jailer Conover served with the Adair County Regional Jail.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Jailer Conover.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marvin is the only officer of Adair County Regional Jail remembered here.
Marvin is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Marvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Marvin 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 1904, 6 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Marvin was 26. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Marvin was 26. 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.
Marvin was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Adair County Regional Jail. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.8% 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
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