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Incident
Constable Boyatt was shot and killed from ambush as he and his teen-aged son were investigating a parked car on the side of Mine 18 Road. He was hit twice by two shotgun blasts that came from near-by underbrush. He and his son fired several shots at the suspect as he ran from his hiding place. Constable Boyatt died in a hospital three hours later.
The next day four men, 23, 24, 32, and 38, who lived near the scene were arrested and charged with murder. The county sheriff said Constable Boyatt had some trouble with the four several weeks earlier but refused to say what it was about. Three of the men accused the oldest one of firing the fatal shots. Exactly one year later he was tried and acquitted. Charges were dropped against the other three.
Constable Boyatt has served in law enforcement for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 11 children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Constable Boyatt gave the McCreary County Constable's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Whitley City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Boyatt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McCreary County Constable's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
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 1960, 1 officer in KY was killed feloniously, the 112th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1960, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1960, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 41. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 41. 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. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at McCreary County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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, 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.
His people
McCreary County Constable's Office has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from McCreary County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
