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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jack Mills was shot and killed while checking a wrecked pickup truck on Highway 23.
Deputy Mills, along with the sheriff and two other deputies, had responded to the scene after receiving reports of a crash at about 2:00 am. They arrested one man at the scene for public drunkenness and were told by the man that a gun was in the cab of the truck. When Deputy Mills approached the truck to retrieve the gun he was ambushed by the arrested man's brother, who was hiding in the cab. The man shot Deputy Mills three times in the chest with a 9 mm handgun. He then fired on the other deputies before fleeing across a field. He was arrested later that morning and charged with murder. His brother was charged as an accessory to murder.
Deputy Mills' killer was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on October 11, 1958.
Deputy Mills had served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office for five months. He was survived by his wife and five children. On December 9, 1959, his wife and two of his children were killed in a fire at their home. On October 27, 1963, his son was killed in a head-on collision near the place where his father was killed.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Mills served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Barbourville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Knox County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Jack is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Jack is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jack 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 1958, 1 officer at Knox County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 2.
In 1958, 4 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jack was 32. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Knox County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 33.5; the middle age was 32. Jack had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 0.2 years.
Jack was 32. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Jack had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jack was 32. 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. Jack had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jack was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jack had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 22.2% of these deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 22.2%. Sundays: 22.2%.
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Sundays: 18.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 9 deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; 9 mm, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; 9 mm, in 0.1% 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; 9 mm, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; 9 mm, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Knox County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Jack among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
