Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Hannibal Blankenship was shot and killed by ambush while loading confiscated moonshine onto a train in Jenkinjones at noon.
On Monday night, Deputy Blankenship and two other officers captured a 50-gallon sill. They were loading the moonshine onto a train when three men fired upon them. Deputy Blankenship returned fire, wounding one of the subjects.
One suspect escaped. The other two suspects were apprehended when they went to the hospital to treat gunshot wounds.
Deputy Blankenship was transported to Welch Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Deputy Blankenship was survived by his wife, three sons, and one daughter.
Survivors
Deputy Blankenship was survived by his wife, three sons, and one daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-6F71B858- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Blankenship 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 Blankenship.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Hannibal Noah Blankenship Sr. 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. Hannibal Noah Blankenship Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Hannibal Noah Blankenship Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hannibal Noah Blankenship Sr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hannibal Noah Blankenship Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
