Cecil Alvin Ferrell
Agency patch
Constable

Cecil Alvin Ferrell

Felonious
End of Watch October 17, 1937
Age 36
The Vigil Panel 73 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable Cecil Ferrell was shot and killed as he, another constable, and a deputy attempted to arrest a subject who had escaped from them earlier in the evening.

Constable Ferrell and the deputy had arrested the man for public intoxication at a local restaurant. After placing him in a car, both officers walked around to the opposite side of the vehicle. The man took the opportunity to exit the car and flee on foot.

Both officers woke up the local justice of the peace, who issued a warrant for the man's arrest. When the officers, who were joined by another constable, arrived at the man's home they found him asleep in his bed and ordered him to get dressed. The man walked to the corner of bedroom to get his shoes but instead grabbed a shotgun and opened fire, fatally striking Constable Ferrell in the abdomen.

The other officers were able to disarm the 25-year-old man and arrest him. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Constable Ferrell was survived by his wife and three young children.

Survivors

Constable Ferrell was survived by his wife and three young children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-47024D40
Stewardship
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Ferrell served with the Boone County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Ferrell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Madison, WV
Platform Identity bcco.boone.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 17, 1937
Age 36
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun

Constable Cecil Alvin Ferrell 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%.

Boone County Constable's Office
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
WV — Statewide
169
of 232 officers
72.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cecil Alvin Ferrell's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Cecil Alvin Ferrell Compares

Age at Death
36
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cecil Alvin Ferrell is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cecil Alvin Ferrell was killed by shotgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from Boone County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.