A Kentucky Man Known as the “World’s Most Arrested Man” Passes Away at 74
Henry Earl, a Kentucky man who gained notoriety for accumulating over 1,300 arrests throughout his life, passed away last weekend at the age of 74, as reported by various sources.
Henry Earl, also known as “the world’s most arrested man,” was laid to rest at Owenton Cemetery with employees from the Owenton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility, where he spent his final years, in attendance.
Unfortunately, Earl had no family present at the ceremony, according to WLEX.
Described as a character with a great sense of humor, Ginny Ramsey, founder of Lexington’s Catholic Action Center, shared that she had known Earl for decades.
Throughout his life, the beloved vagabond was arrested approximately 1,300 times, mostly for alcohol-related offenses, since arrests began being digitally documented in 1992.
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Earl had been arrested over 1,500 times in five decades.
Earl revealed that he turned to drinking after the death of his adopted mother when he was 18, and he had not held a steady job since his busboy position in 1969, which he lost due to showing up drunk.
His first arrest occurred in Fayette County in 1970 for carrying a concealed weapon, leading to more than 6,000 days spent in jail since then.
Despite his numerous encounters with the law, Earl was featured on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in 2004, although he was unable to attend in person due to being incarcerated at the time.
His 1,000th arrest took place in 2008 for alcohol intoxication when he was found passed out on a porch. He briefly entered a rehab program but was arrested again shortly after achieving four months of sobriety.
His final arrest was for public intoxication in April 2017.
Ramsey recalled Earl as a challenging yet charismatic individual at the Catholic Action Center’s housing program, emphasizing his free-spirited nature.
Despite his homelessness, Earl was a familiar face in the Lexington community, often frequenting college bars at the University of Kentucky and socializing with students.
He enjoyed being called “James Brown” by those who knew him.
Ramsey shared anecdotes of setting curfew rules for Earl, who struggled to adhere to them but was always endearing in his attempts.
Reflecting on Earl’s impact, Ramsey said, “You couldn’t meet Henry Earl and not love him. Henry Earl, he’ll never be forgotten.”
In his final years, Earl battled illness and resided at the Owenton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility.
