Roll of Honor
Incident
Prohibition Officer Mose Elswick was shot and killed as he and his brother, who was also a state prohibition officer, raided a moonshine still in Kanawha County.
The two officers had gone to the abandoned mine and ordered the moonshiners to raise their hands. The subjects instead opened fire, striking Officer Elswick in the head. His brother was able to apprehend the men before carrying Officer Elswick's body to a nearby house.
The man who shot Officer Elswick was arrested and charged in connection with his murder.
Officer Elswick was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Elswick was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-3E0BCABF- 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.
Prohibition Officer Elswick served with the West Virginia Department of Prohibition.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Elswick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prohibition Officer Mose Elswick 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. Mose Elswick's cause is highlighted.
How Mose Elswick Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mose Elswick is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mose Elswick was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
