Roll of Honor
Walter E. Blake
Incident
Prohibition Officer Walter Blake was shot and killed while arresting a man for liquor law violations near Campbell's Creek in Kanawha County. The man initially cooperated but suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Blake in the abdomen twice.
The suspect was apprehended, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to life.
Officer Blake had served with the West Virginia Department of Prohibition for only seven weeks. He also served as a constable for the city of Charleston at the time of his murder.
He is buried in Spring Fork Cemetery, Coco, Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-14B82BB5- 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.
Prohibition Officer Blake 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, Prohibition Officer Blake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prohibition Officer Walter E. Blake 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. Walter E. Blake's cause is highlighted.
How Walter E. Blake Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter E. Blake is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter E. Blake was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
