Roll of Honor
Thomas E. Rutherford
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-F5774373- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Commissioner Thomas E. Rutherford 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 97,772 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 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas E. Rutherford's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas E. Rutherford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas E. Rutherford is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas E. Rutherford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
