| Deputy Sheriff Berry Palmer Atkinson County Sheriff's Office Georgia End of Watch: Friday, December 25, 1931 Biographical Info Age: 43 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Explosion Date of Incident: Monday, December 21, 1931 Weapon Used: Explosives; Dynamite Suspect Info: Apprehended Deputy Sheriff Berry Palmer died from injuries he received when a dynamite trap exploded while raiding a whiskey still in the Roundabout Swamp near Pearson. Four other officers were injured.
The still exploded when the lid of a mash barrel was raised causing an electric switch connected with the barrel lid to set off five sticks of dynamite. Deputy Palmer was taken to a hospital in Waycross where his leg had to be amputated. He died from his wounds four days later on Christmas Day. Two men were arrested and charged with his murder.
Deputy Palmer was survived by his wife and five children. |