Roll of Honor

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Chief of Police

Claude Hensley

Clendenin Police Department — Clendenin, WV

Felonious

End of Watch April 27, 1909

Age 33

The Vigil Panel 23 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Chief Claude Hensley was stabbed to death as he attempted to break up a fight at a local theatre. He was attending the theatre when the fight broke out between several patrons. He was stabbed six times as he attempted to separate the men.

The man who stabbed him was arrested.

Chief Hensley was survived by his wife and three children.

Survivors

Chief Hensley was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-02DFB9E9
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.
Chief of Police Hensley served with the Clendenin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clendenin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hensley.

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

Agency

Department Clendenin Police Department

Location Clendenin, WV

Platform Identity clenpd.kanawha.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 27, 1909

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Stabbed

Weapon Edged weapon

Offender Apprehended

Chief of Police Claude Hensley 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 Clendenin Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Clendenin Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Claude Hensley's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Claude Hensley Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Apprehended

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude Hensley is highlighted in Apr.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude Hensley was killed by edged weapon.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Clendenin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.