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Night Watchman Clarence F. Berry | Leola Police Department, South Dakota
Leola Police Department, South Dakota

Night Watchman

Clarence F. Berry

Leola Police Department, South Dakota

End of Watch: Monday, December 12, 1921

Biographical Info

Age: 37
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 12, 1921
Weapon Used: Handgun; .25 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Watchman Berry was shot and killed while on patrol. He encountered a married couple, who were dressed in each other's clothes, near the Lutheran church. The man, who was wearing women's clothes, yelled out to the officer and immediately pulled out a .25 caliber handgun and shot Watchman Berry in the abdomen.

Watchman Berry was able to return fire and shot the suspect in the knee. The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. On October 6, 1928, his sentence was commuted to 10 years.