Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Pete Pescatore succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained nine days earlier while attempting to quell a disturbance at Leckie.
Deputy Pescatore, who also owned a service station in Anawalt, had gone to Leckie on a business trip when he was informed that a group of men were drinking and causing a disturbance. He went to the location to tell them to quiet down and disperse but was attacked by the group.
One of the men disarmed him and then shot him in the abdomen, inflicting a fatal wound. He was transported to a hospital in Welch where he remained until succumbing to the wound nine days later.
The shooter was arrested, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. Two years later his conviction was overturned and he received a second trial. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years in prison.
Deputy Pescatore was survived by his wife and five children. He was buried in Pocahontas, Virginia.
Survivors
Deputy Pescatore was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Pescatore 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 Pescatore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Pete Pescatore 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. Pete Pescatore's cause is highlighted.
How Pete Pescatore Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Pete Pescatore is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Pete Pescatore was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
