Deputy Sheriff Travis Milton French

Travis Milton French

Deputy Sheriff Travis 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 was a United States Navy WWI veteran and had served with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office for four months. He was survived by his wife and ten children.