James Lewis Lowe

West Virginia State Police — South Charleston, WV

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 28, 1926

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 51 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 41

Incident

Private James Lowe was shot and killed during a raid on a moonshine still in Greenbriar County near Richwood, West Virginia. Late on Friday, June 22nd, the troopers were guided to the still by a 12-year-old boy. At daylight Saturday, the gang running the still sighted them and opened fire. The troopers captured the still, wounded two of the gang, and took them into custody. Returning Saturday evening, they were ambushed again and Private Lowe went down, riddled with bullets. Private Lowe died five days later, never having regained consciousness. Some of the gang of moonshiners were apprehended. Private Lowe was a United States Army Veteran.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WV-05A188A1
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Private Lowe served with the West Virginia State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of West Virginia, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department West Virginia State Police

Location South Charleston, WV

Platform Identity wvsp.wv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 28, 1926

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Apprehended

Military Service

James Lewis Lowe served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Private James Lewis Lowe 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 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 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At West Virginia State Police, 21 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

West Virginia State Police

of 42 officers

50% Felonious

WV — Statewide

169

of 232 officers

72.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious