Shelby County Detention Center, Kentucky
End of Watch: Monday, February 18, 1957
Age: 72
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: February 12, 1957
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Deputy Jailer Luther Hammond succumbed to wounds received when he was assaulted by two inmates who escaped from the Shelby County Detention Center at 501 Main Street in Shelbyville.
He suffered a concussion and a broken arm, went into a coma, developed pneumonia, and died as a result six days later.
Both inmates, age 30, were apprehended three days later in Bagdad, Kentucky. Both were awaiting trial for forgery. One faced a judge the same day he was apprehended, found guilty of forgery, and sentenced to 10 years. Both were charged with Jailer Hammond's murder.
Deputy Jailer Hammond had served with the Shelby County Detention Center for 11 years and previously served as a police officer in Shelby County. He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and four sisters.