Knox County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch: Saturday, September 2, 1922
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 2, 1922
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Sheriff John Mays was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two brothers at the Locust Grove Church, just over the county line in Whitley County.
The two brothers were arrested by the Whitley County sheriff and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. One was pardoned on September 18, 1924, by Governor W. J. Fields because he had tuberculosis. He died four days later. The other brother was eventually released and was killed September 28, 1937, victim of a hit and run accident. A third brother and their father were convicted of conspiracy and also received prison terms.
Deputy Mays was survived by his wife.