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Travis Milton French
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Travis French was shot and killed with his own service weapon by a prisoner in the County Jail. Deputy French had let the man out to use the phone, and when the deputy turned his back, the man grabbed his gun and shot him. Police Officer Boss Johnson of the Welch Police Department and another officer pursued the suspect from the jail to the basement of a nearby house, where a gunfight resulted. Officer Johnson and the suspect were shot and killed. Deputy French was a United States Navy WWI veteran and had served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and ten children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff French served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Travis Milton French served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Travis is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Travis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Travis 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 1949, 1 officer at McDowell County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1949, 2 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Travis was 50. Of the 11 killed feloniously at McDowell County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 44; the middle age was 36. Travis had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Travis was 50. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Travis had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Travis was 50. 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. Travis had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Travis was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Travis had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.3% of these deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
April holds 10.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Wednesdays: 17.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 13 deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 25% 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
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Travis among them.
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Sam Payne Feb 21, 1900
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Hannibal Noah Blankenship, Sr. May 13, 1919
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Burman Hatfield Jul 14, 1920
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William Johnson Tabor
Mar 3, 1921
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George Mitchell Feb 13, 1923
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Claude Thomas Spangler
Mar 26, 1923
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Pete Pescatore May 14, 1929
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John Agnew May 13, 1930
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Mitchell Robinson Oct 5, 1933
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Grover Cleveland Stringer
Dec 16, 1933
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Charles Everett Shrewsbury
Jul 6, 1936
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Travis Milton French
Apr 20, 1949
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George Stewart Maynard
Sep 8, 1977
Military Service
Travis Milton French served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Travis Milton French’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
