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Incident
Prohibition Officer Mose Elswick was shot and killed as he and his brother, who was also a state prohibition officer, raided a moonshine still in Kanawha County.
The two officers had gone to the abandoned mine and ordered the moonshiners to raise their hands. The subjects instead opened fire, striking Officer Elswick in the head. His brother was able to apprehend the men before carrying Officer Elswick's body to a nearby house.
The man who shot Officer Elswick was arrested and charged in connection with his murder.
Officer Elswick was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Elswick was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Prohibition Officer Elswick served with the West Virginia Department of Prohibition.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Elswick.
— 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.
Mose is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Mose is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Mose 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 1923, 3 officers at West Virginia Department of Prohibition were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 8 officers in WV were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mose was 37. 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.
Mose was 37. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Mose was 37. 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.
Mose was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.3% of these deaths at West Virginia Department of Prohibition; July holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 33.3%.
September holds 7.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Sundays: 10.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
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 handgun; revolver, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.6% 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 handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
West Virginia Department of Prohibition has 13 officers remembered here, Mose 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 the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
