Area fallen officers remembered, emotions still run high in Floyd County

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

Police Chief, Greg Fugitt, Lawrence County Sheriff, Chuck Jackson, former Lawrence County Sheriff, Bobby Workman and Prestonsburg Police Chief Ross Shurtleff were among other officers in the tri-state area who represented their law enforcement agencies during a memorial ceremony at the Ashland Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #3 on Tuesday, May 7. The event was in honor of Law Enforcement Week (May 12-18).

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office honored three officers fallen in the line of duty, Deputy Sheriff Edward Perry Webb, EOW (End of Watch) July 16, 1920, Special Deputy Sheriff Wiley Litteral, EOW December 5, 1908 and Town Marshall Ralph Marcum, Fallsburg Marshal Office, EOW April 19, 1902.

Former Lawrence County Sheriff Garrett Roberts and LC Deputy Joe Wojtowicz were also mentioned during the ceremony and honored by Sheriff Chuck Jackson.

The Louisa Police Department acknowledged their officers including Officer Russell Jay Estep, EOW January 2 1987, Officer Fred Pack, EOW May 16, 1946, Patrolman Bert Hampton, EOW June 28, 1937 and Chief of Police Lazarus Arthur “Lace” Vinson, EOW October 13, 1930.

Chief Shurtleff said he felt at home because of the relationship that I have forged with Ashland and all the people there. “On June 30, 2022, at about 6 p.m., a hell would open up,” said Chief Shurtleff. “The likes of which this by then experienced seasoned law enforcement supervisor did not know existed.”

Chief Shurtleff recapped an incident where several officers and a K-9 Officer were ambushed in Allen, KY.

Those officers honored where Deputy William Petry, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Capt. Ralph Frasure with the Prestonsburg Police Department, Prestonsburg Police Officer Jacob R. Chaffins and K-9 Unit Drago.

“To those family members here today, who have through some means or another, lost a loved one or who gave their life in some fashion or another to or in service to their communities, thank you,” Shurtleff said.