Herman Sutton Barbrey, a Special Agent with the Bureau of Prohibition, was born on August 28, 1897, in Sampson County, North Carolina. On January 3, 1934, Agent Barbrey, along with Special Agents C. C. Keyes and J. J. O'Dea, conducted a raid at the home of M. Frank Millis in the Harrison Creek Section of Pender County, North Carolina. During the raid, they seized a still and arrested Jesse Millis.
As Agent Barbrey was escorting the prisoner from the property in his car, Charles Millis, Jesse's brother, shot Agent Barbrey from ambush, wounding him in the stomach.
Agent O'Dea quickly came to his aid and transported him to Wilmington Hospital, but Agent Barbrey succumbed to his injuries two days later, on January 5, 1934. The incident was a tragic outcome of a Prohibition-era enforcement action, highlighting the dangers faced by agents during that time. Agent Barbrey was 36 years old at the time of his death and was survived by his wife, Ruby, and their three children.
The shooter, Charles Millis, was not immediately arrested or charged in connection with the death of Agent Barbrey. The circumstances surrounding the lack of immediate legal action against Charles Millis remain unclear, but it is known that the incident did not lead to any significant legal proceedings or investigations at the time.
Agent Barbrey's death was a stark reminder of the perilous nature of law enforcement work during the Prohibition era, and his sacrifice is remembered by those who honor the fallen officers.
