EH
U.S. Army · United States 
Elisha Hoskins
1942
Elisha Hoskins served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Deputy Jailer Elisha Hoskins was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two women for being drunk in public on Main Street in Harlan.
The husband of one of the women interfered with the arrest and assaulted Deputy Hoskins after claiming that he was not legally allowed to make an arrest. The man then fled up into an alley and then shot Deputy Hoskins as he pursued him.
The man was convicted of murdering Deputy Hoskins and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld the conviction and ruled that Deputy Jailer Hoskins was considered a peace officer and permitted to make arrests.
Deputy Jailer Hoskins was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
The husband of one of the women interfered with the arrest and assaulted Deputy Hoskins after claiming that he was not legally allowed to make an arrest. The man then fled up into an alley and then shot Deputy Hoskins as he pursued him.
The man was convicted of murdering Deputy Hoskins and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld the conviction and ruled that Deputy Jailer Hoskins was considered a peace officer and permitted to make arrests.
Deputy Jailer Hoskins was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Harlan County Detention Center
Deputy Jailer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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