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Incident
Deputy Frank Phillips was shot and killed while questioning two brothers who were drunk and causing a disturbance in front of a local business.
When he asked the two what they were doing they became belligerent. A struggle ensued in which the two brothers drew weapons and shot Deputy Phillips. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and seriously wounded one of the suspects. The other brother was taken into custody.
There were hard feelings between the three caused by the "Hatfield and McCoy Feud" that had been going on since 1878. Both brothers were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On July 2, 1930, a fire destroyed the chair factory within the state penitentiary complex. Several inmates helped fight the fire which kept it from spreading to other buildings. All who helped including one of the brothers had their sentences reduced. His sentence was commuted to 21 years. In 1931 the other brother's sentence was commuted to 21 years.
Deputy Phillips was survived by his wife, child, mother, two brothers, and four half-sisters.
Survivors
Deputy Phillips was survived by his wife, child, mother, two brothers, and four half-sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Phillips served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pike County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank 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 1926, 2 officers at Pike County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 22 officers in KY were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 38. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pike County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 45; the middle age was 43.
Frank was 38. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Frank was 38. 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.
Frank was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 15.4% of these deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 23.1%. Mondays: 30.8%.
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.3% of all 16 deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 38.5% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pike County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
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Charles Smith Mar 19, 1911
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Patton Bartley
Feb 19, 1917
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Walter Deal Jan 10, 1921
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Jesse Ferrell May 30, 1925
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Louis Casebolt
May 25, 1926
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Frank Phillips Dec 13, 1926
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Thomas C. Tackett
Dec 16, 1929
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John Allen
Jul 20, 1930
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Boyd Westin Hatfield Nov 11, 1931
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Earl Scott
Jan 7, 1939
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John F. Cable Oct 2, 1940
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Roy Conway
Jul 28, 1950
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Dave Coleman, Jr.
Aug 3, 1951
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Earl Smith May 15, 1979
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Poyster Keene
May 8, 1993
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James Ireland Thacker
Jan 23, 2012
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
