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Basil Edward Wright
Incident
State Fire Marshal Basil Wright was killed in an airplane crash while on final approach to the Martinsburg Municipal Airport.
He and the commissioner of the West Virginia State Racing Commission were traveling to Charles Town to testify at a Racing Commission hearing involving several investigations. Fire Marshal Wright had been assisting the Racing Commission with the investigations.
Fire Marshal Wright was piloting the plane when it experienced an engine failure approximately one-half mile from the runway. The plane went into a spin and crashed, killing Fire Marshal Wright and the commissioner.
Fire Marshal Wright had been appointed as the State Fire Marshal two years earlier and had previously served with the West Virginia State Police for 24 years, having retired as the second-in-command. He had previously served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office and Welch Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
State Fire Marshal Wright gave the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, State Fire Marshal Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Basil is the only officer of West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal remembered here.
Basil is one of 54 officers lost to accidents in WV, 23.3% of the 232 remembered there.
Basil is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Basil is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer in WV was lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 47 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1963, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1963, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Basil was 55. Of the 46 lost to accidents in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 33.5. Basil had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Basil was 55. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Basil had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Basil was 55. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Basil had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 11.1% of these deaths in WV; November holds the most, 16.7%. Saturdays: 18.5%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.9%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Accident deaths account for 23.3% of all 232 deaths in WV, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal are honored on badge.nw.