Incident
Trooper Johnny Adkins suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
While attempting to arrest one of the suspects he began to suffer severe chest pains. He was taken to a local hospital and received a checkup from a doctor, who informed him he could return to work.
Despite the clean bill of health, Trooper Adkins' health continued to decline and he suffered a second, fatal heart attack three days later.
Trooper Adkins had served with the Kentucky State Police for 6 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Trooper Adkins gave the Kentucky State Police 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Adkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
KY State Police has lost 30 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Johnny is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in KY, 4.5% of the 984 remembered there.
Johnny is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Johnny is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 1 officer in KY was lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 36 years on record. The heaviest was 2024, with 4.
In 1995, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1995, 18 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 18th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Johnny was 37. Of the 41 lost to cardiac events in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 60; the middle age was 51. Johnny had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Johnny was 37. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Johnny had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Johnny was 37. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Johnny had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
November holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; February holds the most, 18.2%. Fridays: 13.6%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 3.3% of all 30 deaths at KY State Police, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.5% of all 984 deaths in KY, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
KY State Police has 30 officers remembered here, Johnny among them.
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Harold J. Toll
Nov 14, 1948
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Robert Renaker Miller
Feb 14, 1951
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Lee Trebu Huffman
May 8, 1953
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Herbert C. Bush
Oct 11, 1958
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William Everett Tevis
May 26, 1963
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Elmer Mobley, Jr.
May 28, 1964
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Cecil Walter Uzzle
May 28, 1964
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Delano G. Powell
Jul 8, 1965
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Mack Edward Brady
Nov 9, 1966
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William Harrel Barrett
Dec 19, 1971
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James Willard McNeely
Apr 8, 1972
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Walter Orville Thurtell
Sep 29, 1972
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Joe Ward, Jr.
Apr 23, 1973
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William Carter Smith
Apr 26, 1973
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John Wayne Hutchinson
Jun 4, 1975
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Bobby Allen McCoun, Jr.
Sep 1, 1975
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William Francis Pickard
Jan 21, 1976
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Willis Durwood Martin
Apr 26, 1977
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Clinton Eugene Cunningham
Feb 11, 1979
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Edward Ray Harris
Nov 7, 1979
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Jerome Scott Clifton
Oct 1, 1980
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Darrell Vendl Phelps
Aug 7, 1981
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Johnny Montague Edrington
Dec 20, 1988
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Johnny Gordon Adkins
Nov 24, 1995
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Jonathan Kyle Leonard
Dec 19, 2006
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Anson Blake Tribby
Jan 22, 2013
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Eric Keith Chrisman
Jun 23, 2015
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David Ray Gibbs
Aug 7, 2015
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Joseph Cameron Ponder
Sep 13, 2015
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Hayden Phillips
Sep 28, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
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