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Incident
Deputy William Brown was shot and killed by a suspect who had shot and wounded the Lewisport town marshal and several other men the previous day.
The suspect had gone to a neighbor's home the previous day and threatened him with a shotgun. When the suspect left the property the neighbor notified the town marshal, who along with a posse, went to the suspect's home.
As the posse approached the home the suspect opened fire with a shotgun, wounding all six men in the posse.
The suspect then barricaded himself in his home throughout the remainder of the day and that night, periodically shooting at lawmen and citizens who had surrounded it.
Deputy Brown went to assist at the scene the following morning. A decision was made to attempt to set fire to the house to force the man to come out. As Deputy Brown approached one of the windows, the suspect suddenly appeared and opened fire, striking him in the head and killing him instantly.
The house eventually was set on fire and as the suspect fled, the citizens opened fire on him, striking him over 20 times.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Brown served with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hawesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Hancock County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
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 1905, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hancock County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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, in 8.2% 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, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
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