Roll of Honor
George Ratliff
Incident
Location: Virginia Weapon: Rifle Offender: Sentenced to 10 years
Deputy Collector George Ratliff was shot and killed while raiding moonshine stills near Swords Creek in Russell County, Virginia.
Deputy Collector Ratliff had been deputized to assist another deputy collector and other possemen when he became separated from the group in the mountains.
He was ambushed and shot multiple times. The other posse members heard the shots but were unable to save Deputy Collector Ratliff. The suspects fled the scene but were arrested several weeks later by private detectives.
Five men were convicted of Deputy Collector Ratliff's murder and were each sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Deputy Collector Ratliff had previously served as the town sergeant of Richlands, Virginia.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several small children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-AA19DC33- 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
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Deputy Collector Ratliff served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Collector George Ratliff 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 - Office of Internal Revenue, 25 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Ratliff's cause is highlighted.
How George Ratliff Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Ratliff is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Ratliff was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
