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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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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Burman is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Burman is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Burman is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 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 1920, 6 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Burman had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Burman had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Burman had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Burman had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Wednesdays: 17.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
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 rifle, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.1% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Burman 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 12-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
