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Incident
Deputy Sam Payne succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained as he and his brother attempted to arrest a man wanted on a warrant for shooting his gun several days earlier. When the deputies arrived at the man's home in Peeryville the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Payne in the stomach.
The suspect, recently released from prison after serving a term for murder, was never apprehended.
Deputy Payne was taken to his parents' home where he succumbed to his wound two days later.
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 Payne 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 Payne.
— 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.
Sam is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Sam is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sam 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 1900, 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 1900, 1 officer in WV was killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1900, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1900, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sam was 35. 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.
Sam 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.
Sam 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.
Sam 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
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
February holds 7.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Wednesdays: 17.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% 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 handgun, 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 handgun, in 25.4% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Sam 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
