Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter and Sergeant Joseph Horne, of the West Virginia State Police, were shot and killed while arresting a man for stealing a coal truck. The officers had served the arrest warrant at the man's home and accompanied him inside to obtain personal effects. While inside, the man shot and killed both officers with a pistol he had hidden in his waistband. The suspect then shot Sheriff Hovatter's son, who had accompanied his father. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested the following day during a massive manhunt. The man was convicted of the murders and executed by hanging.
Survivors
Sheriff Hovatter was survived by his wife, four children, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-WV-81B24D99- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Hovatter served with the Tucker County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Parsons community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hovatter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. O. Gay Hovatter's cause is highlighted.
How O. Gay Hovatter Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. O. Gay Hovatter is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. O. Gay Hovatter was killed by handgun.