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Incident
Constable William Arthur was shot and killed as he and other officers attempted to arrest two robbery suspects at Dorsee, West Virginia.
As the officers attempted the arrest the two men opened fire, killing Constable Arthur. Both suspects were wounded by return fire. One of them was arrested at the scene while the other one fled into the nearby woods.
The second suspect, 44, was apprehended three days later near Broad Tree in Nicholas County. He admitted to officials that he fired the shot that killed Constable Arthur. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. On January 13, 1951, he escaped from a road work crew. He was captured on January 3, 1952, near Pikeville, Kentucky.
Constable Arthur had served as an elected constable for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Arthur gave the Clay County Constable's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clay community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Arthur.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Clay County Constable's Office remembered here.
William is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1931, 3 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 53. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
William was 53. 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. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 7.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Thursdays: 9.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Clay County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 18.9% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
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