Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Donald Davis was killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a saloon owner from Westernport, Maryland. Sheriff Davis had gone to Piedmont that day to meet with a prohibition officer about another matter. After the meeting, Sheriff David was standing on Main Street when he saw the saloon keeper drive by. He jumped on the running board of the subject's car and attempted to place the driver under arrest. The subject immediately sped up and fled toward the bridge from Piedmont, West Virginia, to Westernport, Maryland. Sheriff Davis tried to shut the car off but the subject sped up even faster. The man lost control of his vehicle and it hit the right side curb of the bridge just over the state line in Maryland. It then skidded into the left side, striking the bridge structure. Sheriff Davis was caught between the wrecked car and the bridge structure, crushing his legs and hips. He was taken to a nearby doctor's office where he remained conscious until several minutes before he died. Prior to passing away, he gave the warrant to the prohibition officer, saying "there are the papers, get Pete." The subject's car was demolished, however the man suffered only minor injuries. He fled across the bridge into Maryland, leaving his two children, one of whom was badly injured, behind. The subject, who had previously made threats against Sheriff Davis, was arrested some time later and taken to the jail in Cumberland, Maryland. Sheriff Davis had been elected the previous fall, and was in his first year as sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-WV-3BAB60A9- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Davis served with the Mineral County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Keyser community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Donald Purvis Davis 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Purvis Davis's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Purvis Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Purvis Davis is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Purvis Davis was killed by automobile.