Roll of Honor
Charles Edward Howell
Incident
Federal Prohibition Agent Ed Howell was ambushed and shot to death in Limestone County, Alabama, shortly after raiding a still the day prior. Agent Howell received a tip about a moonshine still at Limestone Creek at the mouth of the Tennessee River. At 10:30 p.m., when he reached the location with two deputies, they were fired upon. Agent Howell was shot over 40 times, one of the deputies was wounded, and the third was able to summon help. When officers returned for Agent Howell's body, there was no still in production. Fourteen men were arrested in a conspiracy to stop raids in the area by killing Agent Howell, but were released due to insufficient evidence. One man was convicted of murder and escaped prison in November 1921. It is unknown if he was captured. Agent Howell had served with the United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit and previously served with the City of Albany Police Department (Alabama), present-day Decatur Police Department.
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- 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.
Federal Prohibition Agent Howell gave the United States Department of the Treasury 5 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Federal Prohibition Agent Howell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Federal Prohibition Agent Charles Edward Howell 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 53.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit, 47 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 79.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Edward Howell's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Edward Howell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Edward Howell is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Edward Howell was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
