William Johnson Tabor

McDowell County Sheriff's Office — Welch, WV

Felonious

End of Watch March 3, 1921

Age 28

The Vigil Panel 40 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Deputy William Tabor was shot and killed while attempting to arrest the mayor of Welch, West Virginia.

The Welch city council had been meeting in deliberations on whether or not to impeach the mayor over accusations that had been made against him involving two girls. When the mayor learned of the deliberations he broke down the door to the meeting room and demanded to know what was occurring. After overturning the conference table he left.

In the meantime, Deputy Tabor was driving the two girls to Kimball. However, the mayor intercepted the Deputy, overtook him and demanded that he hand over custody of the girls.

Deputy Tabor turned the girls over and then followed the mayor to his home. When he exited his vehicle the mayor told him not to approach and then shot him when he didn't comply. Deputy Tabor was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day.

The mayor was charged with Deputy Tabor's murder.

Officer tabor was a Veteran of World War I. He is buried in Cartwright Cemetery in Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-D179112D
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 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.
Deputy Sheriff Tabor 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 Tabor.

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

Agency

Department McDowell County Sheriff's Office

Location Welch, WV

Platform Identity mcso.mcdowell.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 3, 1921

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Charged with murder

Deputy Sheriff William Johnson Tabor 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 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.

McDowell County Sheriff's Office

of 13 officers

92.3% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious