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Incident
Deputy Claude Spangler was shot and killed in Gary, West Virginia while attempting to arrest a man who had been involved in a hit-and-run involving two children at Hemphill.
After striking the children, the driver fled. The Hemphill police chief called ahead to Deputy Spangler to intercept the driver in Gary. When the man arrived in Gary, he stopped to speak to a friend just as Deputy Spangler had located him.
As Deputy Spangler approached the subject, the man started shooting at him, striking him once in the abdomen and once in the leg. Another deputy returned fire, killing the subject.
Deputy Spangler was survived by his wife, son, mother, and ten siblings.
He was buried in Christiansburg, Virginia.
Survivors
Deputy Spangler was survived by his wife, son, mother, and ten siblings.
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 Spangler gave the McDowell County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Welch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Spangler.
— 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.
Claude is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Claude is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Claude is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 2 officers at McDowell County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 8 officers in WV were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Claude was 36. 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. Claude had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Claude was 36. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Claude had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Claude was 36. 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. Claude had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claude was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Claude had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 16.7% of these deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 16.7%.
March holds 4.1% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Mondays: 16%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
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; .38 caliber, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.6% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Claude 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 5-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.
