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Incident
Deputy Pete Pescatore succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained nine days earlier while attempting to quell a disturbance at Leckie.
Deputy Pescatore, who also owned a service station in Anawalt, had gone to Leckie on a business trip when he was informed that a group of men were drinking and causing a disturbance. He went to the location to tell them to quiet down and disperse but was attacked by the group.
One of the men disarmed him and then shot him in the abdomen, inflicting a fatal wound. He was transported to a hospital in Welch where he remained until succumbing to the wound nine days later.
The shooter was arrested, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. Two years later his conviction was overturned and he received a second trial. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years in prison.
Deputy Pescatore was survived by his wife and five children. He was buried in Pocahontas, Virginia.
Survivors
Deputy Pescatore was survived by his wife and five children.
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 Pescatore 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 Pescatore.
— 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.
Pete is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Pete is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Pete 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 1929, 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 1929, 3 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Pete was 38. 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.
Pete was 38. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Pete was 38. 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.
Pete was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 25% of these deaths at McDowell County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
May holds 5.9% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% 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 officer's 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 officer's handgun, in 8.3% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
McDowell County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Pete 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 59-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from McDowell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
