Constable Joseph H. Davidson, Mercer County Constable's Office, West Virginia

Constable Joseph H. Davidson

Mercer County Constable's Office, West Virginia

End of Watch Tuesday, October 9, 1934

Joseph H. Davidson

Constable Joseph Davidson was shot and killed while guarding two robbery suspects who had just been arrested. The two complained of being cold and asked if they could wait in their automobile, and the request was granted.

Several minutes later they requested to get back out of their car, and as they did, one of the men shot Constable Davidson several times.

One suspect was apprehended a few days later. The other suspect was apprehended in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 25, 1935. Both were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.

Constable Davidson had served in law enforcement for 2 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.

Bio

Age 56
Tour 2 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

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Most Recent Reflection

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Eighty-four years ago today, the slightest error in judgment, trust and compassion for two criminals, forever changed history. As we all know, all to well, we see it on television, we read about it in every forum possible. For this Constables wife, children, family, friends, co-workers, or as we call ourselves today, brother's and sister's in blue, this moment of "trust" left their lives with a life long "void" that will never be complete.
Legacy lives on, in the EVIL and in the GREAT! We as LEO need to strive to have a LEGACY worth aspiring to obtain and continue.
I'm retired now, I've already left my legacy and I'm very thankful for those that trusted me with their lives, their children's lives, and allowed me to protect and serve in my full capacity, and that is, after all, to make ALL AWARE,"THAT ALL LIVES MATTER, AND WE ARE HERE, FOR THEM, TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE!!!!!
So, thanks, for serving all those years ago, and thanks to your family and friends for their sacrifice.

Ret. Det. S. P. Halbritter

October 9, 2017