SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5
(By Senators Williams, Barnes and Sypolt)
Requesting the bridge crossing the Shavers Fork River at Parsons in
Tucker County, West Virginia, specifically bridge number
47-219-8.25, be named the "Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter Memorial
Bridge."
Whereas, Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter was born in Tucker County,
West Virginia in 1895. He served the Auviltown and Parsons
communities in Tucker County as a merchant for twenty-five years
and opened the state liquor store in Parsons, managing it until
1943; and
Whereas, Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter was an outstanding organizer
and citizen in the community, serving in the United States Army
during World War I in the field artillery. He was a commander of
the American Legion Cheat Valley Post 101 and was the first
commander and organizer of the General Garnett Post 4322 of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Pythagoras Lodge
No. 128, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Order of Eastern Star
No. 91 and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Parsons Lodge No. 99;
and
Whereas, Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter was elected sheriff of Tucker County in 1944. He was killed in the line of duty on September 9,
1946, along with Sergeant Horne of the West Virginia State Police
while attempting to arrest one Mark McCauley in Mineral County for
stealing a truck. McCauley shot both officers with a .38 revolver.
Sergeant Horne died within ten minutes. Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter
died en route to the hospital. McCauley was captured the next day
and was subsequently convicted of the murder of the two officers.
He then had the dubious distinction of being the last person hanged
at the West Virginia Penitentiary prior to the introduction of the
electric chair at that institution. Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter was
one of three law-enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in
Tucker County. He served his community, state and country with
distinction, making the supreme sacrifice as the chief
law-enforcement officer of his home county. The Parsons City
Council believes that it is fit and proper to honor the
achievements and sacrifice of Sheriff O. Gay Hovatter by naming a
new bridge after him; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name
bridge number 47-219-8.25 crossing the Shavers Fork River in the
city limits of Parsons in Tucker County, West Virginia, "Sheriff O.
Gay Hovatter Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of
Highways is hereby requested to cause to be fabricated signs to be erected at each entryway of the bridge, containing bold and
prominent letters proclaiming the bridge to be named the "Sheriff
O. Gay Hovatter Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate forward a
certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the
Division of Highways and the Parsons City Council.