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Incident
Night Policeman Jesse Starks was shot and killed with his own service weapon after responding to a disturbance at a local theater.
When he arrived at the scene he discovered that his son-in-law had been ejected from it for causing a disturbance. The son-in-law and five relatives had then returned to the theater armed with weapons.
As Policeman Starks attempted to calm the situation his son-in-law pulled his service weapon from its holster and shot him.
The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 21 years in prison. He was paroled in 1955. Two of his family members were sentenced to less than five years for aiding and abetting.
Policeman Starks had served with the Benton Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Night Policeman Starks gave the Benton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Starks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jesse is the only officer of Benton Police Department remembered here.
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 1948, 10 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jesse was 46. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Jesse had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jesse was 46. 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 had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jesse was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jesse had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Benton Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 2.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Benton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.