Incident
Marshal Wes Perkins was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to stop a car whose occupants they suspected of firing several shots from the vehicle.
Marshal Perkins had heard several shots fired in town in the middle of the night and was told they came from a dark colored car. He summoned a Whitley County deputy jailer and set off to locate the vehicle.
They found the vehicle on Main Street and attempted to flag it down. When it didn't stop, Marshal Perkins fired a shot in the air attempting to get its attention. The vehicle turned around and when it approached Marshal Perkins' position shots were exchanged. Marshal Perkins was fatally wounded and the two occupants of the car were wounded.
One of the subjects in the car was convicted of manslaughter in connection with Marshal Perkins' death and sentenced to 12 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Perkins served with the Williamsburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Perkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
J. is the only officer of Williamsburg Police Department remembered here.
J. is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 16 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 57. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
J. was 57. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
J. was 57. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Williamsburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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