Roll of Honor
Incident
Prohibition Officer Will Farley was shot and killed at his home, near Hart's Creek, Logan County, when three moonshiners broke in and shot him as he lay in bed.
He and another officer had raided a still earlier in the day on Hoover Creek and the dismantled still was taken to his Farley's home as evidence. The other officer, who was in another room, shot at the suspects as they fled the scene. The suspects escaped but turned themselves in at Parkersburg days later. Two were charged with murder. One was tried and acquitted. In 1933 he was sentenced to 12 years for robbery. After he received his sentence he escaped from the Williamson Jail and was captured the next day, Ten years were added to his sentence.
Officer Farley had served with the West Virginia Departent of Prohibition for one month and with law enforcement for 3 years including time as a deputy sheriff in Logan County.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-1D3BB28F- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Will. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Prohibition Officer Farley gave the West Virginia Department of Prohibition 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Farley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prohibition Officer Will Farley 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 Department of Prohibition, 12 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Will Farley's cause is highlighted.
How Will Farley Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Will Farley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Will Farley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
