News - William Wiles - Prohibition Officer
Channel: TBC News Video
Date: 2015-12-19

William Wiles was the only prohibition officer assigned to Kern County during prohibition era.  He was also the only prohibition officer shot and killed in Kern County.

"At the time Wiles was shot, he was alone and separated from the other officers who were surrounding Lowe's place in skirmish formation.

The officers were flanking the place at wide intervals.

Suddenly a shot set up reverberations in the quiet of the lonely mountain region.

Wiles staggered slightly.

Another shot shattered the stillness and then another.

Wiles spun around in his tracks with the forces of the bullets' impact, and then dropped dead on the ground."

This is how the Bakersfield Californian reported the story in 1929... Read the rest of the story by Lois Henry at
Bakersfield.com

Video produced by John Farrand
for TBC Media