Sheriff John T. Roach

Graves County Sheriff's Department

Kentucky

End of Watch: Monday, March 6, 1922

Biographical Info

Age: 30

Tour of Duty: N/A

Badge Number: N/A

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: Monday, March 6, 1922

Weapon Used: Handgun

Suspect Info: Charged with murder

Sheriff Roach was shot and killed by a former deputy who was upset that he was not appointed to another term by the sheriff. The former deputy, after learning that other deputies had been sworn in on the first day of the circuit court session, went to the sheriff's office and confronted him. After a brief argument the former deputy retrieved his pistol from a safe. As the sheriff took a step towards him he was shot several times and killed.

The suspect was taken to a jail in a neighboring city to prevent a mob from attacking him. A grand jury indicted him for murder.

Sheriff Roach was a veteran of WWI. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and five brothers.