Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Kenneth Love, Jailer Ernest Hesson, and Sheriff Elvin Wedge were killed when a bomb exploded inside the Mason County Courthouse. The suspect entered the Mason County Jail armed with a shotgun and suitcase, and forced his way into the jail cell of his wife, who was in custody for the murder of their child. The suspect stated he wished to spend the night with his wife, and while talking to Sheriff Wedge fired at the suitcase, which contained approximately 30 sticks of dynamite, causing a massive explosion. Deputy Love, who was on duty at the courthouse that night, was killed instantly. Sheriff Wedge succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the blast the next day. Jailer Ernest Hesson succumbed to his injuries one week later. The suspect and his wife were also killed instantly.
Survivors
Deputy Love was survived by his wife, two children, father and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-6EAADD0E- 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.
Deputy Love served with the Mason County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Point Pleasant community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Love.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Kenneth Ward Love 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 Mason County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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. Kenneth Ward Love's cause is highlighted.
How Kenneth Ward Love Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in explosion
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth Ward Love is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kenneth Ward Love was killed by explosives; dynamite.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mason County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
