Prev
Incident
Sheriff Ralph Haycraft succumbed to injuries sustained four days earlier when he was struck in the face by a rock.
The incident occurred after a group of soldiers who were visiting Caneyville were harassed and threatened by a group of civilians. The two groups got into an altercation and one of the soldiers was injured. The other four soldiers reported the incident to the night policeman in Leitchfield.
The officer, along with Sheriff Haycraft and the soldiers returned to Canayville to retrieve the injured soldier. As they drove away from the home after picking him up several men started throwing rocks at their car. Sheriff Haycraft and the officer both exited the vehicle and identified themselves. The officer began to chase one of the men but as Sheriff Haycraft approached the others he was struck in the face with a rock, causing him to suffer a fractured skull.
He was taken to Louisville Baptist Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries several days later.
Sheriff Haycraft had just begun his second term as sheriff and had previously served as a deputy under two previous sheriffs.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq2jpxgej9yv317zxbcx- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ralph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Haycraft gave the Grayson County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Leitchfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Haycraft.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ralph is the only officer of Grayson County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Ralph is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph 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 1942, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 55. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Ralph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Ralph was 55. 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. Ralph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Grayson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, 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 blunt object; rock, in 0.3% 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 blunt object; rock, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, in 0% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Grayson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.