McDowell County Sheriff's Office, West Virginia
End of Watch: Thursday, September 8, 1977
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 8, 1977
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 5 to 18 years
Deputy George Maynard was shot and killed while he and another deputy were questioning two suspects about a breaking and entering that had occurred earlier in the day.
The deputies had taken the two suspects to the department for questioning. Deputy Maynard took one of the men into the sheriff's office to read him his rights as the other deputy questioned the other man in an adjacent room.
Deputy Maynard suddenly called out that the suspect had a gun and was immediately shot. The other deputy then exchanged shots with the suspect, wounding him in the foot. The man was taken into custody a short time later.
The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 5 to 18 years in prison March 28, 1978. He received an additional one to 10 years for breaking and entering.
Deputy Maynard had previously served with the Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Department and the West Virginia State Police. He was survived by his wife, child, two brothers, and three sisters.