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Incident
Deputy Burkhart was shot and killed while attempting to transport a 20-year-old prisoner to the county jail for causing a disturbance at a school festival. Deputy Burkhart had stopped for a red light when the prisoner's parents pulled up behind him, got out, and opened fire on Deputy Burkhart's patrol car. His mother, 39, went to one side of the car, and his father, 64, went to the other side. Both fired 50 rounds from different caliber weapons, hitting Deputy Burkhart nine times. All of the suspects fled the scene after the shooting but were captured a short time later. On May 24, 1969, the parents was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. On June 24, 1970, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld their convictions, but both were released at some point before June 12, 1978, the date the father died in Cincinnati, Ohio. From 1907 to 1976, 38 law enforcement officers have been shot and killed in Harlan County, Kentucky, more than all U.S. counties per capita.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Burkhart 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, Deputy Sheriff Burkhart.
— 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.
Oscar is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oscar 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 1968, 1 officer at Harlan County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1968, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oscar was 53. 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.
Oscar was 53. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Oscar was 53. 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.
Oscar was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 11.1% of these deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 19.4%. Thursdays: 19.4%.
November holds 10.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 36 deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Harlan County Sheriff's Office has 36 officers remembered here, Oscar 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
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Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
