Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Cecil Ferrell was shot and killed as he, another constable, and a deputy attempted to arrest a subject who had escaped from them earlier in the evening.
Constable Ferrell and the deputy had arrested the man for public intoxication at a local restaurant. After placing him in a car, both officers walked around to the opposite side of the vehicle. The man took the opportunity to exit the car and flee on foot.
Both officers woke up the local justice of the peace, who issued a warrant for the man's arrest. When the officers, who were joined by another constable, arrived at the man's home they found him asleep in his bed and ordered him to get dressed. The man walked to the corner of bedroom to get his shoes but instead grabbed a shotgun and opened fire, fatally striking Constable Ferrell in the abdomen.
The other officers were able to disarm the 25-year-old man and arrest him. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Constable Ferrell was survived by his wife and three young children.
Survivors
Constable Ferrell was survived by his wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-47024D40- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Ferrell served with the Boone County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Ferrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Cecil Alvin Ferrell 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. Cecil Alvin Ferrell's cause is highlighted.
How Cecil Alvin Ferrell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 18 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cecil Alvin Ferrell is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cecil Alvin Ferrell was killed by shotgun.