Roll of Honor
Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin
Incident
Prohibition Officer Loranzie McGlothlin succumbed to a gunshot wound inflicted the previous night while confronting a man outside a local theatre in Richlands, Virginia.
He had been at the theatre with his wife and was leaving when he encountered a group of drunk miners who were using offensive language and causing a disturbance.
When Officer McGlothlin confronted the men, one of them continued to use abusive language directed at Officer McGlothlin and his wife. When the officer attempted to force the man to stop, the man fled behind the building. Thinking that the man was going to dispose of a bottle of whiskey, Officer McGlothlin pursued him. The man suddenly produced a revolver and shot Officer McGlothlin. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer McGlothlin was able to return fire and fatally wounded the suspect.
Officer McGlothlin had served in law enforcement in Tazewell County for approximately 10 years. In addition to being a prohibition officer for Tazewell County, he also held commissions as a special officer for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and as a special policeman for the Jewell Ridge Coal Company.
He was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-0F0B149F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Prohibition Officer McGlothlin gave the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tazewell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer McGlothlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prohibition Officer Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin 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 VA, 395 of 654 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 Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin's cause is highlighted.
How Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Tazewell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
