Roll of Honor
Luther Simeon McManamay
Incident
Inspector Luther McManamay was shot and killed as he and Sheriff Charlie Gum, of Bath County, attempted to arrest two suspects wanted for illegal moonshining in the region.
The two suspects were part of the Scott-Thacker Gang. The previous year, Inspector McManamay and the sheriff of Alleghany County were shot and wounded while raiding a still belonging to the gang. Several members of the group were arrested over the following months.
As Inspector McManamay and Sheriff Gum conducted unrelated business in Alleghany County, they observed the two wanted men driving towards them. As the two attempted to drive past them, the sheriff drove his car into their car and stopped it. Sheriff Gum began to arrest one of the men as Inspector McManamay approached the other man. The suspect, Inspector McManamay was approaching, drew a gun and shot the inspector in the chest, killing him. The man then attacked the sheriff from behind, repeatedly striking him on the head with his gun, and knocked him unconscious.
The two suspects fled the scene but were apprehended after a large search by a posse and the National Guard. The suspect who shot Inspector McManamay was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Sheriff Gum was shot and killed in the line of duty five years later while investigating a disturbance.
Inspector McManamay had served with the Department of Prohibition Enforcement for four years. He had previously served as a deputy sheriff for Bath County and as a police officer for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-9397CDDA- 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.
Inspector McManamay gave the Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector McManamay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector Luther Simeon McManamay 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement, 8 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Luther Simeon McManamay's cause is highlighted.
How Luther Simeon McManamay Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Luther Simeon McManamay is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Luther Simeon McManamay was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement are honored on badge.nw.
