Harlan County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch Wednesday, March 20, 1940
Add to My HeroesJoseph Willie Pruitt
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Pruitt was beaten to death while attempting to arrest a fugitive who had escaped from the State Prison Farm at LaGrange.
Deputy Pruitt encountered the man at a hobo camp near a set of railroad tracks he was patrolling in Harlan. The man attacked him and beat him to death. The subject was later arrested by state patrolmen in Corbin, Kentucky. It is believed that he was acquitted of the murder charges, but returned to prison on larceny charges. He escaped from prison a second time on September 26th, 1945.
Deputy Pruitt was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 54
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Assault
- Weapon Person
- Offender Acquitted
Most Recent Reflection
View all 3 ReflectionsDeputy Sheriff Pruitt,
On today, the 80th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Harlan County.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
March 20, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Lewis
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 23, 2026