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Incident
Chief West was shot and killed at 8:55 p.m. in a gun battle with a drunk man he and another officer attempted to arrest. The suspect was shot at least eight times and killed. Earlier in the day Chief West had arrested the suspect for being drunk in public. The suspect was released to another officer with the promise to appear in court the following day. That night as Chief West was patrolling with another officer they spotted the suspect on the south side of the Public Square in downtown Somerset. Chief West began to arrest the suspect when the offender pulled a revolver from his waist and began shooting at the Chief, striking him in the chest and right hand. Chief West was able to draw his own revolver using his left hand was able to get all 6 rounds off, striking the suspect several times. The officer patrolling with Chief West also shot the suspect, firing all 6 rounds from his weapon. The suspect died at the scene, while Chief West walked himself to the hospital located a few blocks away. The following day Chief West succumbed to his injuries and died around the same time he'd been shot the previous day.
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.
Chief of Police West gave the Somerset Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Somerset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police West.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Somerset Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Silas is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Silas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Silas 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, 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
Silas was 58. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Silas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Silas was 58. 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. Silas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Silas was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Silas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.2% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Somerset Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% 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
Somerset Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Silas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Somerset Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
