Roll of Honor
Charles Archibold "Arch" Wood
Incident
Narcotics Inspector Arch Wood and Federal Prohibition Agent Stafford Beckett were shot and killed near El Paso, Texas, while raiding a still with seven other agents. Federal officers received a tip that a load of 23 cases of liquor was to be sent across the border to a hog ranch in the lower valley about five miles from El Paso. On the night of March 21, 1921, agents approached the ranch and stopped a car driven by the ranch owner's father father, but found no liquor. The agents and the driver went to the ranch house in their cars. The father started for the house, but came back for his gun. The officers let him get his shotgun out of his car. They started towards the house with father in the lead when a volley of shots rang out. Agents Beckett and Wood were mortally wounded. The remaining officers returned fire. When the agents were able to enter the house, the gunmen were gone in the darkness. The man and three of his sons were indicted and charged with the murders. The family alleged the federal officers fired first. There was a mistrial in June 1921. In September 1921, three of the men were re-indicted for having resisted federal officers, but they were found not guilty. On April 24, 1922, a U.S. District Court judge dismissed the indictment against the family on the grounds that it failed to state on what authority prohibition agents raided the Ranch. Inspector Wood was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and seven siblings. He was buried in Abilene, Texas. He had been in the federal service for 12 years. Inspector Wood was reported to have been the first federal narcotics inspector stationed in Dallas after enactment of the Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act in 1914. A brother was also a federal narcotics inspector.
Survivors
Inspector Wood was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Narcotics Inspector Wood gave the United States Department of the Treasury 12 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Narcotics Inspector Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Narcotics Inspector Charles Archibold "Arch" Wood is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Prohibition Service, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Archibold "Arch" Wood's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Archibold "Arch" Wood Compares
Offender Outcome
acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Archibold "Arch" Wood is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Archibold "Arch" Wood was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Prohibition Service are honored on badge.nw.
