Joseph W. Floyd

Image of Prohibition Agent Joseph Floyd
Date of Birth: 
1872
Date of Death: 
May 17, 1922
Location of Death: 
Houston, TX
Image of the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms badge

Circumstances of Death

Prohibition Agent Joseph Floyd accompanied by another unidentified agent, stopped a suspicious truck and found it loaded with illicit liquor.  When they attempted to place brothers, Leon and T.C. Briggs under arrest, a gunfight ensued and Agent Floyd was killed.  The residence from which the truck departed was later searched and a quantity of narcotics was seized.  The residents were arrested and later prosecuted on a variety of Federal charges.  The Briggs' brothers were prosecuted by the State for the murder of Agent Floyd.

Background

Agent Floyd joined the Prohibition Unit on November 18, 1921.  He also appears on the DEA Memorial, since drugs were ultimately involved in the investigation resulting in his death.

Personal

Agent Floyd was born in Madisonville, TX.  He was survived by his wife and their four children, Louisa, Jo, Carmen and Joseph, Jr.

Associated Artifacts: 
Newspaper article regarding Joseph Floyd
Newspaper article regarding Joseph Floyd.
Last Reviewed September 23, 2016