Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Travis French was shot and killed with his own service weapon by a prisoner in the County Jail. Deputy French had let the man out to use the phone, and when the deputy turned his back, the man grabbed his gun and shot him. Police Officer Boss Johnson of the Welch Police Department and another officer pursued the suspect from the jail to the basement of a nearby house, where a gunfight resulted. Officer Johnson and the suspect were shot and killed. Deputy French was a United States Navy WWI veteran and had served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and ten children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-273899EE- 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 French served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community, and 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
Travis Milton French served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Travis Milton French 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Travis Milton French's cause is highlighted.
How Travis Milton French Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Travis Milton French is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Travis Milton French was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
