Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority - Bureau of Law Enforcement, Virginia
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 6, 1938
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 1, 1938
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Investigator Thomas Gravely was shot and killed while raiding a still in Pulaski County with the sheriff, two deputies, and his son, who was going to drive the car and hide it during the operation.
The still had been discovered the previous day and they were returning to apprehend the still's operators. As they arrived a young lookout warned the operator that someone was approaching. The man attempted to flee armed with three weapons and a can of whiskey. He exchanged shots with two of the deputies and then proceeded in Investigator Gravely's direction. The suspect immediately fired twice with a 12-gauge shotgun, striking Investigator Gravely in the face, head and neck.
Investigator Gravely was transported to a hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds six days later. The suspects were both arrested in connection with his murder. The shooter, 60, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder.
Investigator Gravely had been with the agency for four years and was survived his wife and three sons.