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Incident
Prohibition Officer Will Farley was shot and killed at his home, near Hart's Creek, Logan County, when three moonshiners broke in and shot him as he lay in bed.
He and another officer had raided a still earlier in the day on Hoover Creek and the dismantled still was taken to his Farley's home as evidence. The other officer, who was in another room, shot at the suspects as they fled the scene. The suspects escaped but turned themselves in at Parkersburg days later. Two were charged with murder. One was tried and acquitted. In 1933 he was sentenced to 12 years for robbery. After he received his sentence he escaped from the Williamson Jail and was captured the next day, Ten years were added to his sentence.
Officer Farley had served with the West Virginia Departent of Prohibition for one month and with law enforcement for 3 years including time as a deputy sheriff in Logan County.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Prohibition Officer Farley gave the West Virginia Department of Prohibition 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Farley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Virginia Department of Prohibition has lost 13 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Will is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Will is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Will is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 1 officer at West Virginia Department of Prohibition was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1919, 4 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Will was 24. Of the 12 killed feloniously at West Virginia Department of Prohibition whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 49; the middle age was 45.5. Will had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Will was 24. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Will had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Will was 24. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Will had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Will was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Will had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at West Virginia Department of Prohibition; July holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 25%.
August holds 14.2% of these deaths in WV, more than any other month. Mondays: 16%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 13 deaths at West Virginia Department of Prohibition, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 18.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
West Virginia Department of Prohibition has 13 officers remembered here, Will among them.
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Will Farley Aug 11, 1919
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William Meade Feb 12, 1922
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John Luther Maddy
Jul 15, 1922
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Thomas E. Rutherford Feb 25, 1923
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Mose Elswick Sep 23, 1923
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Walter E. Blake
Oct 28, 1923
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Leander M. Cook Nov 15, 1924
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William Holand Wolford Dec 9, 1924
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David Ball Jun 20, 1925
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Gustavus James Simmons
Jul 11, 1927
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Everett Adams Jul 27, 1927
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Edward Hensley Aug 16, 1927
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Ell Watkins Jun 27, 1932
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
