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Incident
Deputy George Mitchell succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two months earlier while attempting an arrest at Caples. The brother of the man he was arresting approached and shot him in an attempt to free the prisoner.
Despite being wounded, Deputy Mitchell returned fire and slightly wounded the subject. Another deputy located the subject later that night and the man was shot a second time, which resulted in him becoming blind.
Deputy Mitchaell was survived by his wife and four children and his parents. He is buried at Capels Cemetery in McDowell County, West Virginia.
Deputy Mitchaell was survived by his wife and four children and his parents. He is buried at Capels Cemetery in McDowell County, West Virginia.
Survivors
Deputy Mitchaell was survived by his wife and four children and his parents.
In Our Keeping
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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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell.
— 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.
George is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 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
George was 40. 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.
George was 40. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
George was 40. 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.
George was 40. 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%. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
February holds 7.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
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, George 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 43-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
