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Incident
Sheriff Eugene Crum was shot and killed near the Mingo County Courthouse in Williamson at about noon.
Sheriff Crum was eating lunch in his vehicle while conducting surveillance on a suspected illegal pharmaceutical operation. The suspect approached Sheriff Crum's vehicle and shot Sheriff Crum four times at point-blank range.
The suspect, whose father described him as mentally unstable, fled the scene and crashed during the pursuit near Hell Creek. He was shot after pointing a firearm at a pursuing Mingo County deputy and was then apprehended.
In August 2018, after 2 trials, one in 2015 and the second in 2018, where the suspect was initially considered competent for trial both times, he was ultimately found mentally incompetent and sent back to the mental facility he was sentenced to before, for rehabilitation.
Sheriff Crum had served as sheriff of Mingo County since January. He had previously served as a magistrate for 12 years and also with the Delbarton Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his children and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-SJKJ-YC1D-Xearlier record number BO-US-WV-B7E120A5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Sheriff Crum gave the Mingo County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Williamson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Crum.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mingo County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Eugene is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2013, 1 officer in WV was killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2013, 49 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eugene was 59. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Eugene had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Eugene was 59. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Eugene had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eugene was 59. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eugene had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Wednesdays: 17.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Mingo County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% 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 57.2% of all 27,543 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 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Mingo County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Eugene among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Mingo County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
