Ashland Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch: Monday, July 4, 1921
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 4, 1921
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Doc Lefler was shot and killed as he and Officers Hunt and Erwin attempted to arrest a man for assaulting his wife. The officers surrounded the home of suspect and Officer Lefler entered and placed the suspect under arrest. As Officer Lefler led the suspect away from the house he stopped to wait for the other officers, releasing his hold on the suspect. The suspect pulled a gun from his pocket and shot Officer Lefler multiple times at close range, killing him, and then fired on Officers Hunt and Erwin, striking Officer Hunt twice in the leg. The two officers fired back and struck the suspect, however, the suspect escaped.
Patrolman Lefler was survived by his wife and three children.