Roll of Honor
Karl C. Peterfish
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Karl Peterfish was shot and killed while escorting a group of non-union miners out of the Goodwill mines during a strike.
A group of union miners opened fire on the group, killing Deputy Peterfish. One of the union miners was wounded by the return gunfire.
Eleven union miners were arrested and charged with Deputy Peterfish's murder. Ten of the suspects were convicted and received varying sentences to a maximum of 18 years.
Deputy Peterfish was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served in law enforcement for 15 years. He served with the Mercer County Sheriff's Department and Wyoming County Sheriff's Department for over a year and previously served with the West Virginia State Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-08387B2B- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Peterfish gave the Mercer County Sheriff's Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Princeton community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Karl C. Peterfish served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Karl C. Peterfish 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 Mercer County Sheriff's Department, 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. Karl C. Peterfish's cause is highlighted.
How Karl C. Peterfish Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 18 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Karl C. Peterfish is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Karl C. Peterfish was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mercer County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
