BEECH CREEEK, W.Va. – A state policeman was killed in a shooting Friday, according to authorities. The suspect was later arrested.
Sgt. Governor Jim Justice confirmed that Cory Maynard died in the shooting. Jim Justice released a statement in which he said he was “absolutely devastated” and expressed his sympathies with Maynard’s parents.
Justice stated that “the brave men and woman of law enforcement and first responders, who risk their lives every day in order to keep us safe are an inspiration for us all.”
Police said that officers responded to a report of a shooting near Beech Creek in Mingo County, and upon their arrival were met by gunfire. Maynard was initially taken to a Logan hospital.
State Police later said in a short statement that the suspect, Timothy Kennedy of Beech Creek (29), was arrested Friday night after an extensive search.
Further details about the shooting have not been made public.
The local media reported that residents in the area were asked to remain indoors while the search was conducted, and that a graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday night at Mingo Central High School had been postponed.
The shooting occurred in the same county in which Sheriff Eugene Crum , who was killed in April 2013 at a place in Williamson in which he would usually park his car to eat lunch, took place. The suspect later was found to be incompetent for trial. He was committed to an institution of mental health for life.
The legendary blood feud that rages between the Hatfield and McCoy families of West Virginia, and Kentucky, is a legend in Mingo and McDowell county.
Mingo County, during the coal mine wars of the early 20th century, was nicknamed “Bloody Mingo”. In a 1920 gunbattle between a group hired by the local police chief to expel the miners who had joined a union and miners under the leadership of the local police chief, ten people were killed.
