United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 10, 1915
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 10, 1915
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Arrested
Posseman John West was shot and killed from ambush as he and two other federal revenue officers destroyed a still near Roberts Siding, between Boma and Silver Point, in Putnam County, Tennessee.
The officers were fired on from ambush and Posseman West was killed. The other officers were able to retreat to safety and left the scene to get assistance. A posse returned to the scene and recovered Posseman West's body.
Posseman West was employed by the Office of Internal Revenue to assist with raiding stills. He was survived by his wife and several grown children.