William T. Lewis, a prohibition agent, was born in 1889 and died on July 15, 1927, in New Bern, North Carolina. He was involved in an undercover operation targeting bootleggers in Kingston, NC. Alongside fellow agents, Lewis attempted to make a purchase from Andrew Purefoy, a known bootlegger. During the operation, Lewis and another agent were overpowered by suspects, robbed, and shot. Lewis succumbed to his injuries the following day at Memorial General Hospital in Kingston.
Three brothers, Virgil, Lee, and Luther Sermons, were arrested and charged with Lewis' murder. However, they were later acquitted by a local jury who accepted their claim of self-defense. The case remains a notable example of the dangers faced by prohibition agents during the era.
Lewis was survived by his wife, J. D. Lewis, and their son, Willie. His death highlighted the perilous nature of law enforcement work during the Prohibition era and the challenges of prosecuting those involved in violent crimes against agents.
