Leander M. Cook
Incident
Deputy Prohibition Officer Leander Cook was shot and killed in Van, West Virginia, while attempting to arrest a constable who was wanted for making a false arrest.
Despite being wounded, Officer Cook returned fire and killed the subject. Officer Cook died two days later.
Officer Cook was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Cook was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-3FB3D806- 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.
Deputy Prohibition Officer Cook 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, Deputy Prohibition Officer Cook.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Prohibition Officer Leander M. Cook 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. Leander M. Cook's cause is highlighted.
How Leander M. Cook Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leander M. Cook is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leander M. Cook 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.


