PCSO, SPD fallen officers remembered at Wednesday ceremony

Carla Slavey, Commonwealth Journal, Somerset, Ky.
·3 min read

May 15—Members of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office and Somerset Police Departments joined together Wednesday to honor their fallen brothers in a ceremony held as part of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

The ceremony, held at the Somerset Cemetery, saw officials place wreaths on the graves of six fallen officers — three from PCDC and three from SPD.

Those officers were:

* PCSO Sheriff John McHargue, who was fatally shot on September 13, 1891, as he was putting his horse in his stable.

* Somerset Police Chief Silas West, who was shot and killed in a January 16, 1928, gun battle as he and Patrolman Walter McKinley Massingale attempted an arrest.

* SPD Patrolman Massingale would lose his life less than two years later during a November 1, 1929 bootlegging raid on South Maple Street.

* In that raid, Massingale was assisted by then-Ofc. James B. Jasper — who would go on to be elected county sheriff. Sheriff Jasper was killed in the line of duty on July 3, 1952.

* Chief Harold Lewis Catron, Sr. was attacked outside of his home in 1957 and suffered shotgun wounds that ultimately led to his death on September 16, 1964.

* Nearly 40 years later, his son, Sheriff Samuel Wilson Catron was running for re-election when he fatally shot by a sniper as he left a fish fry on April 13, 2002.

In addition to the officers honored who are buried at the Somerset Cemetery, Sheriff Bobby Jones noted that there have been six other PCSO officers who have died in the line of duty: Deputy Sheriff James Marshall Richardson, End of Watch (EOW) Feb. 1, 1988; Deputy Douglas Frank Hutton, EOW Dec. 1, 1961; Special Deputy Ambrous Murphy Johnson, EOW July 27, 1932; Deputy H.M. Holloway, EOW March 12, 1911; Deputy J.T. Lovett, EOW March 12, 1911; and Deputy Andy Downs, EOW July 4, 1907.

All but Richardson were killed due to gunfire, whereas Richardson suffered a heart attack while training.

Sheriff Jones also stated that four Burnside Police Department officers have been killed in the line of duty.

They are Marshal George Prentice Southwood, EOW Sept. 30, 1948; City Marshal Charlie Wright, EOW Nov. 15, 1926; City Marshal Hiram Gregory, EOW April 23, 1926; and City Marshal John C. Coomer; Oct. 1, 1913.

Acting SPD Chief Josh Wesley said of the ceremony that it is important not to forget those who served and gave their life for their community.

"It's easy to think that happened a long time ago, but (Sheriff Jones) and I, and none of us, would be standing here if guys like that hadn't served and built the departments and what we have today."

Jones added, "It's not the end of the watch as much as what they did to serve and protect the communities and their actions."

In particular, Jones noted about the late Sheriff Sam Catron that he had heard the phrase "married to the job" applied to him.

"He was dedicated to this county. He worked 24/7, so it's an honor to pay tribute to somebody who sacrificed so much for the community."

Nancy Catron, sister of Sam Catron and daughter of Harold Lewis Catron, Sr., was on hand to witness the ceremony.

"I'm glad to be here to honor my father and my brother and all law enforcement officers, and I appreciate and respect law enforcement. It has a vital role to play," Nancy Catron said.

Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com