Deputy Sheriff William Wright

William Wright

Deputy William Wright was shot and killed when he and his partner were ambushed. The two deputies were en route to serve murder warrants on two suspects when the suspects ambushed them. Deputy Wright was mortally wounded and died the next day. Both suspects were eventually apprehended and charged with Deputy Wright's murder.

Two of Deputy Wright's second cousins were shot and killed in the line of duty while serving as law enforcement officers in Letcher County. Deputy Joel Wright was shot and killed on August 24, 1916, while serving the Letcher County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Constable Booker Wright was shot and killed on November 7, 1932, while serving with the Letcher County Constable's Office.

Deputy Wright had been with the agency for four months and was only 18-years-old.

Deputy Wright's father, William Wright, was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 30, 1900, while also serving with the Letcher County Sheriff's Department.