Federal Prohibition Agent George Hamilton Wentworth was tragically killed on November 24, 1926, in Berkeley, California. Agent Wentworth was involved in an undercover operation aimed at curbing illegal liquor activities during the Prohibition era. On the day of the incident, he and another agent successfully purchased a large quantity of illicit liquor from a suspect named Burrill Morris.
Following the purchase, the agents arrested Morris and began transporting him to jail.
During the transport, Morris managed to draw a concealed firearm and ordered Agent Wentworth to stop the vehicle. When Wentworth refused to comply, Morris shot him in the head. Despite being mortally wounded, Agent Wentworth heroically returned fire, ultimately killing Morris. Wentworth was rushed to Berkeley General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The incident was a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers during the Prohibition era. The case did not involve further arrests or suspects, as the perpetrator, Burrill Morris, was killed in the exchange of gunfire. Consequently, there were no subsequent litigations or murder investigations related to Agent Wentworth's death. His sacrifice is remembered as a testament to the perilous work undertaken by prohibition agents in their fight against illegal liquor trafficking.
