Remembering a Fallen Officer on the 40th Anniversary of His End of Watch

On May 9, 2026, we mark the 40th anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Corrections Officer Charles Frederick Cash, a dedicated public servant who gave his life while protecting others.

Officer Cash was brutally murdered on May 9, 1986, while supervising a group of inmates at the Western Kentucky Farm Center in Princeton, Kentucky. During the attack, an inmate beat Officer Cash to death with a hammer before dragging his body into a barn and escaping the facility in a prison van.

The suspect was later apprehended, convicted of Officer Cash’s murder, and sentenced to death.

Born on December 12, 1950, in Mayfield, Kentucky, Officer Cash served with the agency for 10 years. Those who worked alongside him knew him as a committed corrections professional who carried out his duties with courage and dedication.

Behind the badge was a devoted family man. Officer Cash was survived by his wife and three children, whose lives were forever changed by his tragic loss.

Today, four decades later, we pause to remember Officer Charles Frederick Cash not only for the manner in which he died, but for the life he lived and the service he provided. His sacrifice serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers correctional professionals face every day—often away from public view, but no less significant.

Officer Cash was laid to rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Princeton, Kentucky.

As we honor the 40th anniversary of his End of Watch, we remember his commitment, his sacrifice, and the enduring impact he left on his family, fellow officers, and the corrections profession.

We will never forget.

End of Watch: May 9, 1986
Age: 35
Years of Service: 10
Survived By: Wife and three children