Prohibition Officer Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin

Loranzie Floyd "Ranz" McGlothlin

Prohibition Officer Loranzie McGlothlin succumbed to a gunshot wound inflicted the previous night while confronting a man outside a local theatre in Richlands, Virginia.

He had been at the theatre with his wife and was leaving when he encountered a group of drunk miners who were using offensive language and causing a disturbance.

When Officer McGlothlin confronted the men, one of them continued to use abusive language directed at Officer McGlothlin and his wife. When the officer attempted to force the man to stop, the man fled behind the building. Thinking that the man was going to dispose of a bottle of whiskey, Officer McGlothlin pursued him. The man suddenly produced a revolver and shot Officer McGlothlin. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer McGlothlin was able to return fire and fatally wounded the suspect.

Officer McGlothlin had served in law enforcement in Tazewell County for approximately 10 years. In addition to being a prohibition officer for Tazewell County, he also held commissions as a special officer for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and as a special policeman for the Jewell Ridge Coal Company.

He was survived by his wife and four children.