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Incident
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.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Berry served with the Leola Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Leola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Berry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clarence is the only officer of Leola Police Department remembered here.
Clarence is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 1 officer in SD was killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Clarence was 37. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37.
Clarence was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Clarence was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 5.4% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Mondays: 13.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Leola Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 10.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
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