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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Hannibal is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Hannibal is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hannibal is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 1 officer at McDowell County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1919, 4 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hannibal was 30. Of the 11 killed feloniously at McDowell County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 44; the middle age was 36.
Hannibal was 30. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Hannibal was 30. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Hannibal was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 25% of these deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
May holds 5.9% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 13 deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 18.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Hannibal among them.
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Sam Payne Feb 21, 1900
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Hannibal Noah Blankenship, Sr. May 13, 1919
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Burman Hatfield Jul 14, 1920
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William Johnson Tabor
Mar 3, 1921
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George Mitchell Feb 13, 1923
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Claude Thomas Spangler
Mar 26, 1923
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Pete Pescatore May 14, 1929
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John Agnew May 13, 1930
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Mitchell Robinson Oct 5, 1933
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Grover Cleveland Stringer
Dec 16, 1933
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Charles Everett Shrewsbury
Jul 6, 1936
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Travis Milton French
Apr 20, 1949
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George Stewart Maynard
Sep 8, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
