Burman Hatfield

McDowell County Sheriff's Office — Welch, WV

Felonious

End of Watch July 14, 1920

Tour of Duty

The Vigil Panel 39 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Burman Hatfield was shot and killed from ambush while walking along the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks between Panther and Mohawk.

Striking miners in the area had been involved in violent attacks against railroads, mine companies, and local law enforcement. Deputy Hatfield had been a miner but was appointed to be a deputy sheriff two weeks earlier. His house in War Eagle was burned down after his appointment and he was ambushed by several men as we walked along the tracks at about 8:00 pm.

Several members of the United Mine Workers of America who had been involved in organizing much of the violence and arsons were arrested between September 1921 and January 1922 and charged with Deputy Hatfield's murder.

Deputy Hatfield had only served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Department for two weeks.

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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 Hatfield 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 Hatfield.

— 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 July 14, 1920

Tour of Duty

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Arrested in 1922

Deputy Sheriff Burman Hatfield 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