Prohibition Officer Edward Hensley
West Virginia Department of Prohibition
West Virginia
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 16, 1927

Biographical Info
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, August 16, 1927
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Not available

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.

Officer Hensley had served with the agency for one year.