Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable William Riggs succumbed to injuries sustained 10 days earlier when he was struck on the head with a club and beaten during a riot of Jamison Coke and Coal Company miners near Farmington, West Virginia.
Constable Riggs and a posse of deputy sheriffs and other constables had arrested several of the rioters and were attempting to remove the prisoners when they were attacked. Constable Riggs was struck over the head with a club and suffered severe injuries. He was able to make it to a nearby home where his wound was dressed, but he died as a result 10 days later.
134 rioters were arrested and charged with murder. Four pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in a malicious attack on a law enforcement officer. Two were sentenced to five years, one to four years, and the other to three.
Constable Riggs had served as the elected constable of the Fairmont District for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-WV-1E1CFC85- Stewardship
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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.
Constable Riggs gave the Marion County Constable's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fairmont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Riggs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable William Ross Riggs 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 Marion County Constable's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Ross Riggs's cause is highlighted.
How William Ross Riggs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Ross Riggs is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Ross Riggs was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Marion County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.