Laurel, MD – Nearly 100 years ago, Officer Albert E. Cramblitt lost his life enforcing one of the most controversial laws in U.S. history—Prohibition. On October 1, 1925, just six months into his service, Cramblitt was killed while chasing a suspected bootlegger on Washington Boulevard, a notorious route for smuggling alcohol between Baltimore and Washington.
The rise of bootlegging and the chaos caused by the 18th Amendment led to dangerous pursuits, often over an illegal product that many Americans still consumed despite the ban. Officer Cramblitt, just 23 years old, was speeding at 55 mph on his 1924 Indian motorcycle when a truck pulled into his path, resulting in a fatal collision. His death was one of the countless tragedies tied to the enforcement of a widely criticized law that fueled illegal activity and violent clashes.
Prohibition’s impact extended far beyond the courtroom—it cost lives like Cramblitt’s, who paid the ultimate price while enforcing an increasingly untenable policy. His sacrifice remains a solemn reminder of the human cost tied to an era of misguided lawmaking. Officer Cramblitt’s funeral, with full police honors, set a precedent that is still observed today by the Maryland State Police.
