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Charles Archibold Wood
Incident
Narcotics Inspector Arch Wood and Federal Prohibition Agent Stafford Beckett were shot and killed near El Paso, Texas, while raiding a still with seven other agents. Federal officers received a tip that a load of 23 cases of liquor was to be sent across the border to a hog ranch in the lower valley about five miles from El Paso. On the night of March 21, 1921, agents approached the ranch and stopped a car driven by the ranch owner's father father, but found no liquor. The agents and the driver went to the ranch house in their cars. The father started for the house, but came back for his gun. The officers let him get his shotgun out of his car. They started towards the house with father in the lead when a volley of shots rang out. Agents Beckett and Wood were mortally wounded. The remaining officers returned fire. When the agents were able to enter the house, the gunmen were gone in the darkness. The man and three of his sons were indicted and charged with the murders. The family alleged the federal officers fired first. There was a mistrial in June 1921. In September 1921, three of the men were re-indicted for having resisted federal officers, but they were found not guilty. On April 24, 1922, a U.S. District Court judge dismissed the indictment against the family on the grounds that it failed to state on what authority prohibition agents raided the Ranch. Inspector Wood was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and seven siblings. He was buried in Abilene, Texas. He had been in the federal service for 12 years. Inspector Wood was reported to have been the first federal narcotics inspector stationed in Dallas after enactment of the Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act in 1914. A brother was also a federal narcotics inspector.
Survivors
Inspector Wood was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Narcotics Inspector Wood gave the United States Department of the Treasury 12 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Narcotics Inspector Wood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of the Treasury - Prohibition Service has lost 4 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Charles was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 35. 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. Charles had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at United States Department of the Treasury - Prohibition Service, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of the Treasury - Prohibition Service has 4 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Prohibition Service are honored on badge.nw.
