Roll of Honor
Robert E. Duff, Sr.
Incident
Federal Prohibition Agent Duff was shot and killed in an ambush while investigating a moonshining gang in the hills of Menifee County, Kentucky. The following day Special Deputy David Treadway was shot and killed while riding with a posse in an attempt to arrest Agent Duff's murderers. One week later, Prohibition Agent Guy Cole was shot and killed when the posse he was riding with cornered the gang and engaged them in a shootout. The leader of the gang was also killed and six members were arrested. Agent Duff had previously served as jailer of Bath County, Kentucky.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-3E2726B4- 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.
Federal Prohibition Agent Duff served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Federal Prohibition Agent Duff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Federal Prohibition Agent Robert E. Duff, Sr. 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 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 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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. Robert E. Duff, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert E. Duff, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert E. Duff, Sr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert E. Duff, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
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.
