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Incident
Sheriff Floyd Ball and Deputy Sheriff John Hensley were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest three men who had just crashed their car through a barricade onto a newly-constructed highway 12 miles west of Harlan. The suspects opened fire on the officers as they exited their patrol car and then shot Deputy Hensley several more times as he lay on the ground. All three suspects were captured the next day after their car was found overturned one mile from the crime scene. The owners were traced through the license plate information. Two suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison. One was pardoned by Governor Ruby Laffoon on November 29th, 1933, after the jury in the trial asked for his release. A third suspect was acquitted.
Survivors
Sheriff Ball was survived by his wife and three 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.
Sheriff Ball served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ball.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Harlan County Sheriff's Office has lost 36 officers; 36 of them killed feloniously.
W. is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
W. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
W. 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 1928, 2 officers at Harlan County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1928, 20 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
W. was 45. Of the 35 killed feloniously at Harlan County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 48.5; the middle age was 44.
W. was 45. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
W. was 45. 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.
W. was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 11.1% of these deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 19.4%. Fridays: 19.4%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Fridays: 12.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 36 deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 14.4% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Harlan County Sheriff's Office has 36 officers remembered here, W. among them.
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Carlo Brummet Jul 26, 1907
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Samuel Henry Bailey
Nov 15, 1911
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Neil Christian Jul 6, 1912
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George Dean Aug 27, 1916
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Wilburn Taylor Mar 29, 1917
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Richard Johnson Apr 6, 1919
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David L. Elliott Apr 7, 1919
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William Marion Stewart
Jun 2, 1921
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Jesse Peters Jun 30, 1923
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Will Pace
Nov 20, 1925
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Harve Pace
Feb 18, 1926
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James Fee Aug 18, 1926
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Moss J. Metcalf May 21, 1927
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W. Floyd Ball Jul 6, 1928
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John J. Hensley Jul 6, 1928
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Walter Eldridge Mar 1, 1929
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Jessie J. Pace
Apr 17, 1931
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Jim Daniels May 5, 1931
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Arthur Lee May 5, 1931
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Berry Hensley
Sep 26, 1931
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Owen Woodford Sizemore Dec 25, 1931
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Henderson Ramsey Jan 7, 1932
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Isaac Pennington
Apr 16, 1933
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John C. Carnes Apr 20, 1933
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Bige Gross Apr 15, 1934
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William Ray Brittain
Nov 10, 1934
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Guy Rogers Dec 23, 1934
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Frank J. Minton Jan 26, 1936
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Lawrence Johnson Sep 30, 1937
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Joseph Willie Pruitt Mar 20, 1940
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John Middleton Aug 16, 1943
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Clyde Fee
May 9, 1954
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Oscar Burkhart
Nov 7, 1968
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Jack Brock
Dec 7, 1971
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Orie A. Hicks
Oct 8, 1972
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Wilson McLain
Apr 17, 1976
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
