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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Petry as well as Captain Ralph Frasure and Police Officer Jacob Chaffins, both of the Prestonsburg Police Department, were shot and killed in Allen by a subject who was wanted for domestic violence offenses.
Several warrants and a protective order had been issued for the man after he assaulted a family member. As two Floyd County deputies arrived at the man's home on Main Street, near Railroad Avenue, to serve the warrants, the man opened fire. Numerous jurisdictions responded to assist following the initial shooting. The man fired hundreds of rounds from prepositioned firearms throughout the home.
Deputy Petry and Captain Frasure were killed during the incident. Officer Chaffins succumbed to his wounds the following day. Three other law enforcement officers and the director of emergency management were wounded.
K9 Drago, also of the Floyd County Sheriff's Office, was also killed in the incident.
The subject was taken into custody after remaining barricaded in the home for several hours. He was charged with multiple counts of murder of a police officer, attempted murder of a police officer, and assaulting a service animal. He committed suicide while in custody.
Deputy Petry had served with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office for two years. He had previously retired after having served for 14 years with the Prestonsburg Police Department and 15 years with the Kentucky State Police.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, two grandchildren, and sister.
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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Petry gave the Floyd County Sheriff's Office 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Prestonsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Petry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Floyd County Sheriff's Office has lost 12 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 2022, 1 officer at Floyd County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 2.
In 2022, 5 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 2022, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2022, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 60. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Floyd County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 45.5; the middle age was 39. William had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 6.1 years.
William was 60. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. William had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 60. 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. William had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.1% of these deaths at Floyd County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 27.3%. Thursdays: 18.2%.
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 91.7% of all 12 deaths at Floyd County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 63.6% 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.
His people
Floyd County Sheriff's Office has 12 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Beverly Gerome McCowan Mar 29, 1914
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Joseph Talt Hall
Feb 22, 1925
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Albert Phipps Mar 19, 1927
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Alvin D. Tackett
Mar 20, 1927
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Bee Martin
Jan 31, 1930
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Marion Layne
Jan 5, 1939
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A. B. Hicks
Dec 3, 1939
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Fred E. Damron Jan 20, 1941
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Wesley Sanford Fannin
Aug 1, 1961
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Lawrence Conley
Apr 12, 1972
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Oliver Little, Jr.
Oct 13, 2021
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William Edward Petry
Jun 30, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Floyd County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
