Roll of Honor
Edward Hensley
Incident
Officer Edward Hensley, his son, and a friend were shot and killed by moonshiners while camping in Logan County. Officer Hensley was with a group of ten people camping and hunting for ginseng when they were approached by the moonshiners who had a still hidden nearby.
The moonshiners, who knew Officer Hensley was a prohibition agent, warned the group to leave before noon the following day. The group did not leave and when noon approached they were ambushed by the moonshiners. Officer Hensley, his son, and a family friend were shot and killed and a fourth member of the group was wounded.
A large manhunt was undertaken to locate the suspects. Several suspects were questioned and released. One was later charged with murder. During his trial the suspects son, age 20, hollered out that he was the murderer. The judge refused to believe him and the outcome of the trial is unknown.
Officer Hensley had served with the agency for one year.
Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 16th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-3320DA59- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Edward. 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
You barely got started.
Prohibition Officer Hensley gave the West Virginia Department of Prohibition 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Hensley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prohibition Officer Edward Hensley is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 18.9 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
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. Edward Hensley's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Hensley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Hensley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Hensley was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
