Saturday was a dark day in the history of Lula. In fact, in the state.
It was on March 8,1923 that not one, but two Lula marshals lost their lives in the line of duty. One other peace officer in Georgia died that day, Pierce County deputy sheriff Clifton Brooks.
Here’s what happened in Lula, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP):
Policeman Henry Martin and Policeman Jack Bryan were shot and killed by a man they arrested for passing a worthless check. The man suddenly produced a .45 caliber pistol and shot and fatally shot both officers inside the town jail. The man then walked home where he told his wife that he had just murdered both men. The county sheriff arrested him at the home a short time later.
On July 28, 1923, the suspect was convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 2 years.
Policeman Martin and Policeman Bryan were brothers-in-law.
Deputy Brooks was shot to death attempting to serve a Violation of Probation warrant.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks to Habersham County Sheriff and EMS PIO Rob Moore and the ODMP for help with this story.)