Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Burman Hatfield was shot and killed from ambush while walking along the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks between Panther and Mohawk.
Striking miners in the area had been involved in violent attacks against railroads, mine companies, and local law enforcement. Deputy Hatfield had been a miner but was appointed to be a deputy sheriff two weeks earlier. His house in War Eagle was burned down after his appointment and he was ambushed by several men as we walked along the tracks at about 8:00 pm.
Several members of the United Mine Workers of America who had been involved in organizing much of the violence and arsons were arrested between September 1921 and January 1922 and charged with Deputy Hatfield's murder.
Deputy Hatfield had only served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Department for two weeks.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-WV-F3FA6D90- Stewardship
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hatfield served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hatfield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Burman Hatfield is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At McDowell County Sheriff's Office, 12 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Burman Hatfield's cause is highlighted.
How Burman Hatfield Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Burman Hatfield is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Burman Hatfield was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
