Prev
Incident
Constable Max Webb was shot and killed in Skygusty, West Virginia, while attempting to serve a traffic violation warrant on a man.
When the officers arrived at the man's rural home the subject and two other men fled on foot. As Constable Webb chased the subject around a car the man opened fire with a shotgun, striking him in the chest and neck. The subject then fled into the woods but was arrested several hours later and admitted to murdering Constable Webb.
On October 10, 1961, the suspect, 29, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life. On August 30, 1969, he escaped from Moundsville Penitentiary. He was captured 20 days later in London, Kentucky.
Constable Webb was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Constable Webb was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpn1whf4xwpqph7g993v- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Max. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Webb served with the McDowell County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Webb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McDowell County Constable's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Max is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Max is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Max 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 1961, 1 officer in WV was killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Max was 35. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Max was 35. 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.
Max was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 10.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Saturdays: 13%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at McDowell County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 6.5% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
McDowell County Constable's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Max among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from McDowell County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
