Roll of Honor
Silas Frank Nance
Incident
Constable Silas Nance was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had shot several people in Ohley.
He was at home when he was notified of the shooting. He located the suspect in Eskdale, where he was shot and killed.
The man fled the area but was arrested by a posse in Boone County the following day. At the time he murdered Constable Nance, the subject was out on parole for a prior conviction of unlawfully carrying a pistol. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging on July 9th, 1915.
Constable Nance was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Constable Nance was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-1FC4A5AD- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Silas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Nance served with the Kanawha County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Eskdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Nance.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Silas Frank Nance 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. Silas Frank Nance's cause is highlighted.
How Silas Frank Nance Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1915
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Silas Frank Nance is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Silas Frank Nance was killed by gun; unknown type.