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Incident
Night Patrolman Slaton was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to arrest a man for carrying a pistol. The suspect, and an acquaintance, had agreed to leave town because they were both drunk. After riding a short distance they both turned around and returned to a hitching post.
Upon learning that the men returned, and that one of them was armed, Patrolman Slaton and the other officer went to the hitching post to arrest them. When the officers told the man he was under arrest he immediately pulled a pistol from his overcoat pocket and opened fired. Patrolman Slaton returned fire and both men were fatally wounded.
Patrolman Slaton had served as a Night Patrolman for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Patrolman Slaton gave the Madisonville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madisonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Patrolman Slaton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Madisonville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Clifton is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Clifton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clifton is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1901, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clifton was 50. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Clifton had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Clifton was 50. 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. Clifton had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clifton was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clifton had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Fridays: 12.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Madisonville Police Department. The weapon recorded was 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 handgun, in 22.8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Madisonville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Clifton among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Madisonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
