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Joseph Jackson McCullough
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jack McCullough was shot and killed while raiding a still at Indian Rock at about 9:00 pm.
The county sheriff had discovered a still hidden in the woods approximately one-half mile from Indian Rock Road earlier in the day and organized a posse to return to raid the still at night. He deputized Jack McCullough, who joined the sheriff and other law enforcement officers when they returned to the still to wait for the moonshiners to return. At about 9:00 pm four people approached the still, prompting the posse to announce themselves and try to arrest them.
The moonshiners opened fire on the posse, striking Deputy McCullough. Deputy McCullough returned fire but did not strike anyone. Several posse members began to carry him through the rugged terrain to the roadway approximately one-half mile away, but he died before they made it to the roadway.
One woman was arrested at the scene, and two men were arrested later that night. A fourth subject fled on foot and it is unknown if he was ever apprehended.
Deputy McCullough had served with the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office for one day.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff McCullough served with the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Fincastle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McCullough.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of Botetourt County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Joseph is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 8 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 32. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 12.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Botetourt County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 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 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Botetourt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.