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Earl Langfitt
Incident
Prison Guard Earl Langfitt was stabbed to death at the West Virginia State Penitentiary in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
He was stabbed by an inmate whom he had reprimanded for misconduct in the prison dining hall.
The 44-year-old inmate, serving a life sentence for murder, was convicted of Guard Langfitt's murder and hanged at Moundsville Penitentiary on September 10, 1926.
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.
Prison Guard Langfitt served with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prison Guard Langfitt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 1 officer at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 4 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 24. Of the 6 killed feloniously at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation whose age is recorded, half were between 26.5 and 46; the middle age was 38.5.
Earl was 24. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Earl was 24. 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.
Earl was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 16.7% of these deaths at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation; December holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 50%.
March holds 4.1% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Thursdays: 9.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.4% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 7 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation are honored on badge.nw.
