Roll of Honor
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
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BO-US-WV-D179112D- Stewardship
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- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Johnson Tabor 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Johnson Tabor's cause is highlighted.
How William Johnson Tabor Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Johnson Tabor is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Johnson Tabor was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
