Deputy Constable Joel Martin Wright

Deputy Constable Joel Martin Wright

Letcher County Constable's Office, Kentucky

End of Watch Thursday, August 24, 1916

Add to My Heroes

Joel Martin Wright

Deputy Constable Joel Wright succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 20 days earlier when he was shot by a young girl while arresting the girl's father on a warrant. The girl saw Deputy Wright holding his pistol and she ran up to him, grabbed his pistol, and shot him in the back. The 16-year-old girl and her father were both arrested after the shooting.

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 William Wright was shot and killed on April 11, 1901, 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 Constable Wright was survived by his wife. He is buried in Potter Cemetery, Jenkins, Letcher County, Kentucky.

Bio

  • Age 36
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Friday, August 4, 1916
  • Weapon Officer's handgun
  • Offender Arrested

warrant service

Most Recent Reflection

View all 5 Reflections

Rest in peace sir and always know that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 24, 2020

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.