Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Claude Hamilton was shot and killed as he and several officers from the West Virginia State Police attempted to arrest a man wanted for selling illegal liquor.
The officers encountered the man near Curtin and were immediately fired upon. As Deputy Hamilton struggled with the man he was shot in the chest and killed almost instantly.
The 18-year-old man was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. On December 22th, 1939, Governor Homer A. Holt reduced his sentence to 18 years.
Deputy Hamilton was survived by his wife, eight children, and five sisters.
Survivors
Deputy Hamilton was survived by his wife, eight children, and five sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-82DC81F8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hamilton served with the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Summersville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hamilton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Claude C. Hamilton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nicholas County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Claude C. Hamilton's cause is highlighted.
How Claude C. Hamilton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude C. Hamilton is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude C. Hamilton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nicholas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
