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Incident
Officer Jesse Dills was shot and killed by a former county constable who held a grudge against the officer for a previous arrest. Officer Dills had previously arrested the constable for being drunk in public.
Officer Dills was on duty and had gone into a local pool hall on Main Street to get a cup of coffee. As he did so, the suspect and the county jailer, who had been drinking, waited for him to exit. When Officer Dills came out of the pool hall, he observed the two intoxicated men and approached them to arrest them. The former constable immediately opened fire. Officer Dills returned fire, striking the suspect. The county jailer also opened fire on Officer Dills, striking him twice.
Officer Dills died in the street. The former constable was taken to a local hospital where he died that night. The county jailer was charged with Officer Dills' murder but was acquitted after two trials.
Officer Dills was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Dills was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Dills served with the Paintsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paintsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Dills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Paintsville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jesse is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jesse 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 1929, 18 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jesse was 39. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Jesse was 39. 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.
Jesse was 39. 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. Saturdays: 19%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Paintsville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 1.5% 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 handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Paintsville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jesse among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Paintsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.