Hannibal Noah Blankenship, Sr.

McDowell County Sheriff's Office — Welch, WV

Felonious

End of Watch May 13, 1919

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Hannibal Blankenship was shot and killed by ambush while loading confiscated moonshine onto a train in Jenkinjones at noon.

On Monday night, Deputy Blankenship and two other officers captured a 50-gallon sill. They were loading the moonshine onto a train when three men fired upon them. Deputy Blankenship returned fire, wounding one of the subjects.

One suspect escaped. The other two suspects were apprehended when they went to the hospital to treat gunshot wounds.

Deputy Blankenship was transported to Welch Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Deputy Blankenship was survived by his wife, three sons, and one daughter.

Survivors

Deputy Blankenship was survived by his wife, three sons, and one daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-6F71B858
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Blankenship served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Blankenship.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department McDowell County Sheriff's Office

Location Welch, WV

Platform Identity mcso.mcdowell.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 13, 1919

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Deputy Sheriff Hannibal Noah Blankenship, Sr. 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.

McDowell County Sheriff's Office

of 13 officers

92.3% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious