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Incident
Prohibition Officer George Ball and Special Agent William Porter, of the United States Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit, were accidentally shot and killed in exchange of gunfire between two groups of prohibition officers.
A group of federal prohibition officers and a group of state prohibition officers were both conducting raids near Huntington, West Virginia. Neither group knew the other group was in the area.
When they encountered each other, each group mistook the other for moonshiners and shots were exchanged. Special Agent Porter and Prohibition Officer George Ball were both fatally wounded in the exchange. A second state agent was wounded.
Officer Ball was survived by his wife.
Officer Ball's brother, Police Officer Charles Ball, had previously been slain in the line of duty on November 10th, 1923, while serving with the Huntington Police Department.
When they encountered each other, each group mistook the other for moonshiners and shots were exchanged. Special Agent Porter and Prohibition Officer George Ball were both fatally wounded in the exchange. A second state agent was wounded.
Survivors
Officer Ball was survived by his wife.
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.
Prohibition Officer Ball 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, Prohibition Officer Ball.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
West Virginia Department of Prohibition has lost 13 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 54 officers lost to accidents in WV, 23.3% of the 232 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 1 officer in WV was lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 47 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1925, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1925, 96 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 51. Of the 46 lost to accidents in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 33.5.
David was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
David was 51. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
June holds 9.3% of these deaths in WV; November holds the most, 16.7%. Saturdays: 18.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 7.7% of all 13 deaths at West Virginia Department of Prohibition, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.3% of all 232 deaths in WV, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
West Virginia Department of Prohibition has 13 officers remembered here, David 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 52-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Virginia Department of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw.
