Sheriff Samuel Wilson Catron

Sheriff Catron was assassinated as he was entering his car to leave a political rally in Shopville, Kentucky.

He has just given a campaign speech for the upcoming election in which he was running for his fifth term as sheriff. A suspect shot Sheriff Catron in the head with a high-powered rifle as he placed two cakes he had just purchased from a fundraiser into his patrol car. Sheriff Catron was wearing a vest at the time.

The suspect then attempted to flee the scene on a motorcycle but was apprehended by a deputy and a firefighter several miles away. The suspect was charged with capital murder. Two other suspects, including one of Sheriff Catron's former deputies and opponent in the election, were also charged with complicity to murder. Two of the suspects were sentenced to life in prison.

Sheriff Catron's father, Harold Catron Sr., was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 16, 1964 while serving as Chief of Police for the Somerset, Kentucky, Police Dept.

Sheriff Catron had been with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Dept for 28 years, and had served as sheriff since 1986. Prior to his service with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Dept, he served in Ferguson, Kentucky as Police Chief.