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Jonas P. Thatcher
Incident
Chief of Police Jonas Thatcher was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had failed to appear before a justice to face accusations of an assault.
Chief Thatcher went to the man's home to serve the arrest warrant but was confronted by the man's wife. The woman became belligerent and threw a hatchet at Chief Thatcher, who then attempted to place her under arrest. As the woman struggled with him the husband appeared with a double-barreled shotgun and told the chief to let her go.
When Chief Thatcher refused to let her go the man shot him in the chest, killing him almost instantly. The man fled but was apprehended quickly. He was convicted of Chief Thatcher's murder and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Chief Thatcher was survived by his wife and eleven children. He was a Civil War Veteran who served as a sergeant in the 10th Ohio Calvary, Company C.
Survivors
Chief Thatcher was survived by his wife and eleven children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Thatcher served with the Moundsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Moundsville community. Thank you 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
Jonas P. Thatcher served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jonas is the only officer of Moundsville Police Department remembered here.
Jonas is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Jonas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jonas 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 1886, 1 officer in WV was killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jonas was 44. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Jonas was 44. 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.
Jonas was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 8.3% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Moundsville Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.5% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
Jonas P. Thatcher served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jonas P. Thatcher’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 3-E
Also Remembered
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