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Philip Perry Ketchum
Incident
Guard Philip Ketchum was shot and killed by an inmate along State Route 2, south of Proctor, West Virginia.
He and another guard were transporting 27 prisoners to the state penitentiary at Moundsville. Guard Ketchum, who was driving, had stopped the bus on the roadway to clear dirt from its windshield. While stopped one of the inmates, who was an escapee who was being returned to the prison, grabbed the pistol from the other guard and opened fire. Three of the shots struck the guard he grabbed the gun from and one of the shot struck Guard Ketchum in the chest, killing him.
Despite his wounds, the wounded guard and another inmate threw a chain around the subject's head and were able to subdue him. Troopers from the West Virginia State Police transported the prisoners to the penitentiary. The subject who murdered Guard Ketchum committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell 11 days later.
Guard Ketchum had served at the West Virginia State Penitentiary for only six months. His father served as warden at the facility.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Ketchum served with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Ketchum.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Philip is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Philip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Philip is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 1 officer at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1941, 3 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Philip was 23. Of the 6 killed feloniously at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation whose age is recorded, half were between 26.5 and 46; the middle age was 38.5. Philip had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Philip was 23. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Philip had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Philip was 23. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Philip had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Philip was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Philip had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 33.3% of these deaths at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, more than any other month. Thursdays: 50%.
December holds 10.1% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Thursdays: 9.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 7 officers remembered here, Philip among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation are honored on badge.nw.
