West Virginia Department of Prohibition, West Virginia
End of Watch: Monday, July 11, 1927
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 11, 1927
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Prohibition Officer Gus Simmons was shot and killed from ambush as he and three other state prohibition officers searched for a still in along the Jenny Branch of the Little White Oak Creek in Wyoming County.
As the raiding party made its way toward the still Officer Simmons was shot in the back from ambush. The shooters were able to flee the scene as the other officers sought cover and retreated to call for assistance.
Several members of one family were arrested and charged with his murder. Two were convicted and sentenced to life, while three others were acquitted.
Officer Simmons had given up a life of farming to become a prohibition officer after his son was given illegal liquor by moonshiners.