Rowan County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch Sunday, December 31, 1961
Add to My HeroesSam L. Green
Sheriff Sam Green was shot and killed by a suspect while serving a warrant as a result of a domestic disturbance earlier in the day.
He was assisting the city police department and had gone to the home with a city police officer. The city officer went to the front door and Sheriff Green went to the back door. As the sheriff approached the back door, the suspect fired a 16 gauge shotgun through the door, striking him.
The suspect then stole Sheriff Green's gun and attempted to flee. He then shot and wounded the city police officer as the officer came around the house after hearing the gunfire. The suspect was arrested approximately 45 minutes later. The man was sentenced to life in prison but released after serving only 12 years. He later died of tuberculosis.
Sheriff Green had served with the Rowan County Sheriff's Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 59
- Tour 12 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun; 16 gauge
- Offender Life sentence: paroled after 12 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsI lived just down the street when Sam got killed. Orville Perry was wanting to kill Carl Johnson for beating him with a slap jack. Perry thought he shot Carl when Sam came through the back door. Sam was a hero and a great person and always saw him at Christmas giving fruit and candy to the most unfortunate families. One of my heroes since I was 10 years old and knew him well. My father said he was from Sandy Hook .
Frank Skaggs
Friend
November 9, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024