Date of Birth:
1899
Date of Death:
March 18, 1938
Location of Death:
Hamilton County, TN
Circumstances of Death
Special Agent William Franklin Berry and other agents arrested George Tatum and three other violators for operating a still at Tatum's residence in the Suck Creek Mountain range near Chattanooga, Tennessee. During the arrest, gunfire was exchanged and George Tatum shot and killed Agent Berry with a shotgun.
Tatum initially escaped, but was tracked by agents using bloodhounds and captured about 12 hours later. Tatum was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment.
Background
Agent Berry joined the Alcohol Tax Unit (ATU) on June 29, 1936. Previously, he was an attorney and deputy state prosecutor.
Personal
Agent Berry was born in Marion, Alaska. He was survived by his wife.
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