Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Irby U. Scruggs

Person silhouette in a gray square
Date of Birth:
1871
Date of Death:
April 30, 1921
Location of Death:
Knox County, TN
IRS badge from 1920 - 1926

Circumstances of Death

Prohibition Agent Irby Scruggs and a local officer stopped an automobile and seized a quantity of liquor in Knox County, TN.  While transporting the seized liquor back to their office, the local officer started drinking the liquor.  Agent Scruggs ordered him to stop and an argument followed.

The local officer, now apparently under the influence of the liquor, fired his weapon at Agent Scruggs, who was forced to return fire.  Both Agent Scruggs and the officer were sadly killed in the exchange of gunfire.

Background

Agent Scruggs joined the Prohibition Unit on December 1, 1919, with an annual salary of $1,871.  He was among the first prohibition agents assembled to enforce the Volstead Act, which took effect on January 16, 1920.

Personal

Agent Scruggs was born in Giles County, TN.  He was survived by his wife.

Associate Artifacts

ATF.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Justice

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov