Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Bill Fanning was shot and killed by a group of men seeking revenge for a shooting incident he had been involved in earlier in the day. Chief Fanning had arrested a man wanted for violating an injunction and was walking him to jail when the man made a sudden movement.
Thinking that the suspect was reaching for a weapon, Chief Fanning fatally shot him. When Chief Fanning returned home he was ambushed by the group of men and shot numerous times.
Chief Fanning had served as the police chief of Coopers for only six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-2D77A0A8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. 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.
Chief of Police Fanning served with the Coopers Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bramwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Fanning.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police William A. Fanning 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William A. Fanning's cause is highlighted.
How William A. Fanning Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. Fanning is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William A. Fanning was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Coopers Police Department are honored on badge.nw.