Mercer County Sheriff's Department, West Virginia
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 21, 1934
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 21, 1934
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 18 years
Deputy Sheriff Karl Peterfish was shot and killed while escorting a group of non-union miners out of the Goodwill mines during a strike.
A group of union miners opened fire on the group, killing Deputy Peterfish. One of the union miners was wounded by the return gunfire.
Eleven union miners were arrested and charged with Deputy Peterfish's murder. Ten of the suspects were convicted and received varying sentences to a maximum of 18 years.
Deputy Peterfish was survived by his wife.