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Incident
Special Deputy Marshal James Wood was shot and killed while assisting the town marshal arrest a man wanted for robbery in Elizabethtown.
The marshal had verbally deputized Deputy Marshal Wood to assist with arresting the man. The subject opened fire on them as they approached him at the Louisville & Nashville Railroad depot. Deputy Marshal Wood was shot and killed.
The suspect the scene but was located three days later by Hardin County Sheriff Robert McMurtry. The suspect shot and killed Sheriff McMurtry while hiding in the attic of a home the sheriff was searching. The man was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair on July 30, 1915.
Special Deputy Wood had served with the Upton Police Department for only one day.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Special Deputy Marshal Wood served with the Upton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Upton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Marshal Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Upton Police Department remembered here.
James is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1914, 8 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 22. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. James had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 22. 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. James had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 22. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Thursdays: 13%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Upton 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 34,117 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 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Upton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.