Atkinson County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
End of Watch: Friday, December 25, 1931
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Explosion
Date of Incident: December 21, 1931
Weapon Used: Explosives; Dynamite
Suspect Info: Acquitted
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.
When placed on trial, the suspect's attorney argued that the state had only circumstantial evidence. Both were acquitted February 26, 1932.
Deputy Palmer was survived by his wife and five children.