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Incident
Turnkey Joe Tuggle was shot and killed by a prisoner in the Whitley County Jail as he brought the man out of his cell to talk to a visitor.
The prisoner suddenly grabbed Turnkey Tuggle's pistol from its holster and shot him twice, killing him. The suspect escaped from the jail but was arrested seven hours later after a bloodhound tracked him to a mountain 15 miles from the jail.
The 21-year-old prisoner, who was awaiting transfer to the state penitentiary to begin serving a 21 year sentence for robbing a gas station, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1945 Governor Simeon S. Willis commuted his sentence to life. He was paroled July 15, 1954.
Turnkey Tuggle was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Turnkey Tuggle was survived by his wife and son.
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.
Turnkey Tuggle served with the Whitley County Detention Center.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Turnkey Tuggle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joe is the only officer of Whitley County Detention Center remembered here.
Joe is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe 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 1940, 13 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 57. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Joe was 57. 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.
Joe was 57. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Whitley County Detention Center. The weapon recorded was officer's 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 officer's handgun, in 2.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
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