McDowell County Sheriff's Department, West Virginia
End of Watch Wednesday, April 20, 1949
Travis Milton French
Deputy French was shot and killed with his own service weapon by a prisoner in the County Jail. Deputy French had let the man out to use the phone and, when the deputy turned his back, the man grabbed his gun and shot him. Police Officer Boss Johnson of the Welch Police Department and another officer pursued the suspect from the jail to the basement of a nearby house where a gunfight resulted. Officer Johnson and the suspect were shot and killed.
Deputy French had served with the agency for only 4 months. He was survived by his wife and ten children.
Bio
- Age 51
- Tour 4 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Related LODD Deaths
Police Officer Boss Johnson
Welch Police Department, WV
EOW: April 20, 1949
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsYour heroism and service is honored today, the 63rd anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.
When I read of an officer leaving a family of ten children, I cannot help wondering how the family fared in the days before compensation for line of duty deaths. It must have been so hard for his widow to be the head of such a large family.
From his daughter's reflection, I can see Deputy French is still loved and missed. I hope Janet has been able to learn more about her beloved father.
Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
April 20, 2012
Recent LODD Deaths
Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm
Minnesota Department of Corrections, MN
EOW: July 18, 2018
Police Officer Bronson K. Kaliloa
Hawaii County Police Department, HI
EOW: July 18, 2018
Police Officer Michael Chesna
Weymouth Police Department, MA
EOW: July 15, 2018
Police Officer Richard Lopez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: June 24, 2018
Special Agent Timothy Allan Ensley
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: June 24, 2018
Police Officer Vu Nguyen
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 6, 2018
Trooper Nicholas Clark
New York State Police, NY
EOW: July 2, 2018
Police Officer Mathew Mazany
Mentor Police Department, OH
EOW: June 24, 2018
Senior Police Officer Christopher Driver
Rocky Mount Police Department, NC
EOW: June 23, 2018