Roll of Honor
John Luther "Lew" Maddy
Incident
Prohibition Officer Lew Maddy was shot and killed as he attempted to take a man into custody who was on liberty from the state mental hospital at Spencer.
The sheriff and the man's father had entered the home on 4th Street in Hinton but were immediately fired upon. Officer Maddy and another officer were unable to gain entry into the front door. Officer Maddy was walking around to the back of the house when he was shot multiple times in the head. The other officer was shot through the hand. Officer Maddy's son retrieved him from the lawn and transported him to the Hinton Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The man remained barricaded in the home for the next 13 days. He shot and wounded another man who attempted to talk him into surrendering. He finally surrendered and was taken into custody. The subject was committed to Salem Hospital and died in 1924.
Officer Maddy had served with the West Virginia Department of Prohibition for at least two years and also served as a Constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-D668D6F3- 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 Maddy gave the West Virginia Department of Prohibition 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Maddy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prohibition Officer John Luther "Lew" Maddy 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. John Luther "Lew" Maddy's cause is highlighted.
How John Luther "Lew" Maddy Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Luther "Lew" Maddy is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Luther "Lew" Maddy 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.
