Prohibition Officer John Luther "Lew" Maddy

John Luther "Lew" Maddy

Prohibition Officer Lew Maddy was shot and killed as he attempted to take a man into custody who was on liberty from the state mental hospital at Spencer.

The sheriff and the man's father had entered the home on 4th Street in Hinton but were immediately fired upon. Officer Maddy and another officer were unable to gain entry into the front door. Officer Maddy was walking around to the back of the house when he was shot multiple times in the head. The other officer was shot through the hand. Officer Maddy's son retrieved him from the lawn and transported him to the Hinton Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

The man remained barricaded in the home for the next 13 days. He shot and wounded another man who attempted to talk him into surrendering. He finally surrendered and was taken into custody. The subject was committed to Salem Hospital and died in 1924.

Officer Maddy had served with the West Virginia Department of Prohibition for at least two years and also served as a Constable. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.