Roll of Honor
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
BO-US-VA-55F1DD28- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Jackson McCullough is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 655 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.2% of this state's fallen. That is 60.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Jackson McCullough's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Jackson McCullough Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Jackson McCullough is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Jackson McCullough was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Botetourt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.