William Harvey McGuire

Williamson Police Department — Williamson, WV

Felonious

End of Watch August 19, 1927

Age 42

The Vigil Panel 53 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

In 1927 the town commissioners of Williamson created a new police force. Patrolman Harvey McGuire and Patrolman David Deerfield of the deposed police force were shot and killed by two new members of the new police force after a heated argument. The new officers, claiming self defense, were charged with murder. They were tried and acquitted on February 2, 1928.

Survivors

Patrolman McGuire was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-515E02E5
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman McGuire served with the Williamson Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Williamson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McGuire.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Williamson Police Department

Location Williamson, WV

Platform Identity wpd.mingo.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 19, 1927

Age 42

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Acquitted

Patrolman William Harvey McGuire 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%.

At Williamson Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Williamson Police Department

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious