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Incident
Deputy William Tabor was shot and killed while attempting to arrest the mayor of Welch, West Virginia.
The Welch city council had been meeting in deliberations on whether or not to impeach the mayor over accusations that had been made against him involving two girls. When the mayor learned of the deliberations he broke down the door to the meeting room and demanded to know what was occurring. After overturning the conference table he left.
In the meantime, Deputy Tabor was driving the two girls to Kimball. However, the mayor intercepted the Deputy, overtook him and demanded that he hand over custody of the girls.
Deputy Tabor turned the girls over and then followed the mayor to his home. When he exited his vehicle the mayor told him not to approach and then shot him when he didn't comply. Deputy Tabor was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day.
The mayor was charged with Deputy Tabor's murder.
Officer tabor was a Veteran of World War I. He is buried in Cartwright Cemetery in Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Tabor 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 Tabor.
— 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.
William is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1921, 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 1921, 5 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
William was 28. 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.
William was 28. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
William was 28. 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.
William was 28. 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 McDowell County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
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 92.3% of all 13 deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 33.3% 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 57.1% of all 27,551 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, William 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 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
