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Edward Hensley
Incident
Officer Edward Hensley, his son, and a friend were shot and killed by moonshiners while camping in Logan County. Officer Hensley was with a group of ten people camping and hunting for ginseng when they were approached by the moonshiners who had a still hidden nearby.
The moonshiners, who knew Officer Hensley was a prohibition agent, warned the group to leave before noon the following day. The group did not leave and when noon approached they were ambushed by the moonshiners. Officer Hensley, his son, and a family friend were shot and killed and a fourth member of the group was wounded.
A large manhunt was undertaken to locate the suspects. Several suspects were questioned and released. One was later charged with murder. During his trial the suspects son, age 20, hollered out that he was the murderer. The judge refused to believe him and the outcome of the trial is unknown.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Prohibition Officer Hensley gave the West Virginia Department of Prohibition 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Charleston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prohibition Officer Hensley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Virginia Department of Prohibition has lost 13 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 3 officers at West Virginia Department of Prohibition were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 7 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 47. Of the 12 killed feloniously at West Virginia Department of Prohibition whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 49; the middle age was 45.5. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Edward was 47. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Edward was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at West Virginia Department of Prohibition; July holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
August holds 14.2% of these deaths in WV, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 92.3% of all 13 deaths at West Virginia Department of Prohibition, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.1% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
West Virginia Department of Prohibition has 13 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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Will Farley Aug 11, 1919
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William Meade Feb 12, 1922
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John Luther Maddy
Jul 15, 1922
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Thomas E. Rutherford Feb 25, 1923
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Mose Elswick Sep 23, 1923
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Walter E. Blake
Oct 28, 1923
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Leander M. Cook Nov 15, 1924
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William Holand Wolford Dec 9, 1924
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David Ball Jun 20, 1925
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Gustavus James Simmons
Jul 11, 1927
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Everett Adams Jul 27, 1927
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Edward Hensley Aug 16, 1927
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Ell Watkins Jun 27, 1932
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
