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Federal Prohibition Agent

Robert E. Duff Sr.

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit — Washington, DC
Felonious
United States flag District of Columbia flag
End of Watch December 9, 1922
Age 44
The Vigil Panel 44 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 58

Incident

Federal Prohibition Agent Duff was shot and killed in an ambush while investigating a moonshining gang in the hills of Menifee County, Kentucky. The following day Special Deputy David Treadway was shot and killed while riding with a posse in an attempt to arrest Agent Duff's murderers. One week later, Prohibition Agent Guy Cole was shot and killed when the posse he was riding with cornered the gang and engaged them in a shootout. The leader of the gang was also killed and six members were arrested. Agent Duff had previously served as jailer of Bath County, Kentucky.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Federal Prohibition Agent Duff served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Federal Prohibition Agent Duff.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit
Type Federal Agency
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdtirspufed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 9, 1922
Age 44
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 44. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit has 59 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

Across the years

Federal Prohibition Agent Robert E. Duff Sr.

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit · End of Watch December 9, 1922

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W

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