Tragic story of 'World's most arrested man' who had been cuffed more than 1,300 times
Henry Earl died in May 2024 at the age of 74 after being arrested more than 1,300 over the course of his life
A man who has been described as the 'world's most arrested' person has died at the age of 74.
Henry Earl from Lexington, Kentucky, in the US was arrested more than 1,300 times over the course of his life, becoming a local and internet celebrity for his extensive police record.
Many of Henry's arrests were related to alcohol, with him frequently being arrested and spending a few days in jail before being released.
Henry started drinking at the age of 18, following the death of his adoptive mother.
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He said that his last job had been in 1969 as a busboy and dishwasher at the Smith Motel - and he was homeless for most of his life.
His extensive criminal record even saw him approached by Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2004, however, he could not attend the show as he was in jail.
In 1992, the Division of Community Corrections of Lexington Fayette Urban County Government introduced a computerised booking system, which logged that he had been arrested almost 1,300 times.
However, his entire arrest record dates back much further to his first arrest in 1970 for carrying a concealed weapon.
Over the many years that Henry was homeless, he was supported by people at Lexington's Catholic Action Center.
Among them was Ginny Ramsey, the center's founder, who paid tribute to him.
She said: “He was a character, he had a wonderful sense of humour."
Henry was in the Catholic Action Center's housing program, but would sometimes struggle with the center's curfew.
Ramsey said: "We'd say now Henry Earl, you need to be in by 9:30 or 10 o'clock. The weekends you can stay out til 11. Well, he tried, but wasn't quite ready."
She added: "When we wouldn't see Henry Earl for awhile, everyone would get concerned, we thought he'd die in the streets. He didn't die in the streets."
In 2017, Henry was admitted to the Owenton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility.
Some of the people who cared for him at the facility attended his funeral at Owenton Cemetery.
Among them were Charlotte Woods and Kirsten Dempsey.
Dempsey told LEX18: "He was a very pleasant man, always a good time, always tried to make people laugh."
Woods added: "You could ask him 'what's your name?' and he'd say James Brown."
The Catholic Action Center has said that they will add Henry to their plans during a Memorial Day cookout where they pay tribute to homeless people who have passed away.
Unfortunately, no-one was able to trace any family for Henry after he passed away.
Ramsey said: "You couldn't meet Henry Earl, and not love him. Henry Earl, he'll never be forgotten."
If you’re a US resident and you’ve been affected by any of these issues, call 211 for help with finding options to pay your rent, mortgage or utility bills and stay in your home, available 24/7, or use the search tool on this page to find more resources near you.
Kit Roberts