Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Cecil and Posseman John Doyle were shot and killed at a saloon near Middlesboro as they attempted to arrest several subjects who had stolen mules.
As they arrived on the scene with several possemen the bartender opened fire from a window killing Deputy Cecil. His companions returned fire killing the bartender. In an ensuing gun battle Posseman Doyle and several suspects were killed. Several others escaped.
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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 Cecil served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cecil.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bell County Sheriff's Department has lost 26 officers; 24 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1902, 2 officers at Bell County Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1902, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1902, 104 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1902, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
February holds 8.3% of these deaths at Bell County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 16.7%.
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 92.3% of all 26 deaths at Bell County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.6% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Bell County Sheriff's Department has 26 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Joseph Manning Jul 14, 1901
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Charles Cecil Feb 17, 1902
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John Doyle Feb 17, 1902
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Richard W. Slusher Apr 11, 1902
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Tom Stewart Nov 1, 1903
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Gordon Givens Jan 30, 1910
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Oland Collins Oct 3, 1911
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Sam Collins Oct 3, 1911
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Edward Neece Nov 7, 1912
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John McCoy Jan 9, 1918
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Columbus Partin Sep 12, 1921
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Bill Atkins
Jun 22, 1923
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Jim Collins Jul 4, 1923
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Andy R. Baird May 4, 1924
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Philip Mark Daniels
Jun 17, 1927
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Elihu L. Simpson May 5, 1929
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Frank Bowman Aug 6, 1932
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Henry Adams Owens May 6, 1933
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James Henry Bowlin
Jul 28, 1940
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George Thomas Fisher Dec 17, 1940
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Sherd Barry Partin
Sep 30, 1944
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Lathe Warren Sep 18, 1952
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Harvey Crawford
Nov 14, 1953
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Franklin Eugene Jackson Sep 20, 1965
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Horace Hall, Jr.
Aug 14, 1980
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Anthony Pursifull
Jan 10, 2008
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.






