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Posseman

John Doyle

Bell County Sheriff's Department — Pineville, KY
Felonious
United States flag Kentucky flag
End of Watch February 17, 1902
The Vigil Panel 44 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 25

Incident

Posseman John Doyle and Deputy Sheriff Charles Cecil 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 other posse members the bartender fired from a window killing Deputy Cecil. His companions returned fire killing the bartender. In an ensuing gun battle Posseman Doyle and several of the suspects were killed. Several others escaped.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Posseman Doyle 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, Posseman Doyle.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Bell County Sheriff's Department
Type Sheriff's Office
Location Pineville, Bell County, KY
Platform Identity bcso.bell.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 17, 1902
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Bell County Sheriff's Department has 26 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years

Posseman John Doyle

Bell County Sheriff's Department · End of Watch February 17, 1902

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E

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