Thomas E. Rutherford

West Virginia Department of Prohibition — Charleston, WV

Felonious

End of Watch February 25, 1923

Age 57

The Vigil Panel 44 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Deputy Commissioner T. E. Rutherford was shot and killed while raiding a still in Wyoming County. His killer was shot and wounded.

The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Commissioner Rutherford was survived by his wife and six children. He is buried in Sarah Jane Richardson Cemetery, Fanrock, Wyoming County, West Virginia.

Survivors

Commissioner Rutherford was survived by his wife and six children.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Deputy Commissioner Rutherford 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, Deputy Commissioner Rutherford.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department West Virginia Department of Prohibition

Location Charleston, WV

Platform Identity wvdpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 25, 1923

Age 57

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 16 years

Deputy Commissioner Thomas E. Rutherford 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At West Virginia Department of Prohibition, 12 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.

West Virginia Department of Prohibition

of 13 officers

92.3% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious