Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Claude Spangler was shot and killed in Gary, West Virginia while attempting to arrest a man who had been involved in a hit-and-run involving two children at Hemphill.
After striking the children, the driver fled. The Hemphill police chief called ahead to Deputy Spangler to intercept the driver in Gary. When the man arrived in Gary, he stopped to speak to a friend just as Deputy Spangler had located him.
As Deputy Spangler approached the subject, the man started shooting at him, striking him once in the abdomen and once in the leg. Another deputy returned fire, killing the subject.
Deputy Spangler was survived by his wife, son, mother, and ten siblings.
He was buried in Christiansburg, Virginia.
Survivors
Deputy Spangler was survived by his wife, son, mother, and ten siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-90D4C403- 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 Sheriff Spangler gave the McDowell County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Spangler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Claude Thomas Spangler 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. Claude Thomas Spangler's cause is highlighted.
How Claude Thomas Spangler Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude Thomas Spangler is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude Thomas Spangler was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
