Laurel County Sheriff's Department, Kentucky
End of Watch: Saturday, March 21, 1903
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 21, 1903
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputy Bert Casteel was shot and killed as he and his brother attempted to serve an arrest warrant. Deputy Casteel went to the home's front door while his brother went to the back door to prevent the suspects from escaping.
As the deputies entered the home the mother of some of the men struck Deputy Casteel's brother with a stove stick. As Deputy Casteel entered the front one of the men opened fire on him, striking him the torso. He returned fire, killing the subject.
Seeing that he was wounded, Deputy Casteel's brother told him to go seek help while he held the mother and one other suspect at gunpoint. Deputy Casteel made it about 200 yards before he collapsed and died.
One additional occupant of the house was able to escape, but was arrested several days later.