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Federal Prohibition Agent Walter Red Tolbert | United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition, U.S. Government
United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition, U.S. Government

Federal Prohibition Agent

Walter Red Tolbert

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition, U.S. Government

End of Watch: Wednesday, February 22, 1928

Biographical Info

Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 9 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 22, 1928
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Executed

Prohibition Agent Walter Tolbert was shot and killed following a raid of a still five miles south of Harlem, Georgia. As he and two county officers approached the still they were spotted by several suspects, who fled the scene. After the agents destroyed the still and headed back to their vehicle they were ambushed by the suspects who had fled the still. Agent Tolbert was struck in the heart and killed instantly.

Six suspects were arrested and one of them confessed to shooting Agent Tolbert. The suspect was later sentenced to death and executed.

Agent Tolbert was survived by his finacee, father, six brothers, and three sisters.