George Stewart Maynard

McDowell County Sheriff's Office — Welch, WV

Felonious

End of Watch September 8, 1977

Age 34

The Vigil Panel 119 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Deputy George Maynard was shot and killed while he and another deputy were questioning two suspects about a breaking and entering that had occurred earlier in the day. The deputies had taken the two suspects to the department for questioning. Deputy Maynard took one of the men into the sheriff's office to read him his rights as the other deputy questioned the other man in an adjacent room. Deputy Maynard suddenly called out that the suspect had a gun and was immediately shot. The other deputy then exchanged shots with the suspect, wounding him in the foot. The man was taken into custody a short time later. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 5 to 18 years in prison March 28, 1978. He received an additional one to 10 years for breaking and entering. Deputy Maynard had previously served with the Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Department and the West Virginia State Police.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, child, two brothers, and three sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-2B10F015
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 Maynard 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 Maynard.

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

Agency

Department McDowell County Sheriff's Office

Location Welch, WV

Platform Identity mcso.mcdowell.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 8, 1977

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Sentenced to 5 to 18 years

Deputy Sheriff George Stewart Maynard 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 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.

McDowell County Sheriff's Office

of 13 officers

92.3% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious