Deputy Sheriff Berry Hensley, Harlan County Sheriff's Department, Kentucky

Deputy Sheriff Berry Hensley

Harlan County Sheriff's Department, Kentucky

End of Watch Saturday, September 26, 1931

Berry Hensley

Deputy Sheriff Berry Hensley was shot and killed from ambush near his home in Smith, Kentucky.

Two suspects shot him in the back with a shotgun and then fled into the mountains. The two suspects were arrested in connection with his murder but later released due to insufficient evidence. On September 4, 1932, one was stuck and killed by a train near Smith.

Bio

Age 44
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Apprehended

Most Recent Reflection

View all 10 Reflections

I'm Berry Hensley's granddaughter. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and joy that my grandfather's name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the spring 2016. I wanted to share this one his page and thank ODMP for recognizing him when no one else was willing to do it.

I want to thank Martin van Heeswijk, one of my graduate students and a Plainfield Police Officer, for making this a reality for my family. I've been working on this for over 15 years but Martin's efforts made it happen. I called my mother to give her the happy news and she was emotionally overwhelmed as you might imagine. She's 86 years old and her father was killed when she was just 2 years old. It took a long time but his sacrifice will finally be recognized. We will attend the ceremony during Police Week.

Former Deputy Sheriff Kimberly D. Dodson
Greene County Sheriff's Department

December 3, 2015