Prev
Incident
Sheriff Richard Hunter was shot and killed as he and a deputy attempted to arrest a man for cutting his wife's throat.
As the officers entered the home, the man opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun, fatally wounding the sheriff.
The man fled the home but was later apprehended and charged with murder. He was executed in the electric chair on January 31, 1921.
Sheriff Hunter was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Sheriff Hunter was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpzh4z08asx1396a93dy- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Hunter served with the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Madisonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hunter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hopkins County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1920, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 38. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Richard was 38. 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.
Richard was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 10.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Hopkins County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, 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 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Hopkins County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hopkins County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.