Gov. Beshear honored seven Kentucky law enforcement officers who lost their lives in service to the commonwealth in 2022, including Calloway County chief deputy Jody Cash.
Kentucky’s law enforcement memorial monument holds the names of 579 men and women heroes who have died in the line of duty since 1845 after adding Thursday's seven officers, along with two historical individuals.
This year’s ceremony honored Cash, who was shot and killed in front of the Marshall County Courthouse by a prisoner who was carrying a concealed gun on May 16, 2022.
Last year's other fallen officers included:
London Police Officer Travis D. Hurley. Officer Hurley died from complications of COVID-19 contracted from exposure while on duty.
Ohio County Deputy James “Jerry” Critchelow. Deputy Critchelow died five days after suffering a heart attack while directing traffic in front of Ohio County High School.
Prestonsburg Police Capt. Ralph H. Frasure. Capt. Frasure was shot and killed in Allen, Ky., by a man who was wanted for domestic violence offenses.
Floyd County Deputy William E. Petry. Deputy Petry was shot and killed in Allen, Ky., by a man who was wanted for domestic violence offenses.
Prestonsburg Police Officer Jacob R. Chaffins. Officer Chaffins was shot and killed in Allen, Ky., by a man who was wanted for domestic violence offenses.
London Police Officer Logan K. Medlock. Officer Medlock was killed when a drunk driver struck his patrol car.
The two historical honorees added to the monument this year are:
Harlan Police Officer Dixon A. Sasser, end of watch Oct. 13, 1918. Officer Sasser was shot and killed by a man who had just been released on bond for bootlegging.
Jefferson County Deputy Crockett M. Riddell, end of watch Jan. 13, 1933. Deputy Riddell was shot and killed while questioning four men who were loitering.
“To become a peace officer is to make sacrifices and demonstrate courage and resilience that many of us only wish we were capable of, knowing that you may not come home at the end of your shift,” Gov. Beshear said. “The seven officers we lost last year knew this and still continued to serve in name of creating safer communities. They demonstrated courage until the very end, and for that, the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky is eternally grateful.”
The Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation.was established in 1999 to build a monument in recognition of Kentucky officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Once the monument was completed in 2000, the organization expanded its efforts to include an ongoing financial endowment program, which helps Kentucky peace officers and their families with educational, medical and emergency needs.
