Bert S. Gregory
Agency: United States Department of the Treasury - Prohibition Service, U.S. Government
Agent Gregory was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 16th, 1868. Gregory served in law enforcement for 23 years. Agent Gregory's courage, general intelligence, and adaptability for law enforcement earned him an appointment under the Harrison Narcotic Law. Previously, he had served as Deputy Sheriff of Iron County, Missouri, for several years and later was promoted to Sheriff. From 1899 to 1903, he held this position which had also been held by both his father and grandfather. In addition, Agent Gregory also served as Deputy Sheriff of Madison County, Missouri, for approximately one year and the Deputy County Collector of Ironton, Missouri, from 1915 to 1917. After receiving an appointment under the Harrison Narcotics Act, he entered on duty as a Deputy Collector on January 1, 1918, and transferred to the Revenue Agent's Office as an Internal Revenue Agent on May 19, 1919.
On the day he was shot, Agent Gregory and another colleague were conducting surveillance on an informant who was to make a purchase of narcotics with marked money provided by the agents. Prior efforts to make the purchase had been unsuccessful and the two agents decided that one of them would "shadow the informant," while the other would leave the area for a while in order to allay suspicions. Agent Gregory decided to visit a nearby hospital where his colleague, Agent A.M. Sheets was recuperating from a wound he received when he and Agent Gregory were ambushed by narcotics suspects a month earlier on September 28, 1922.
While at the hospital, Agent Gregory's gun fell and accidentally discharged, fatally wounding him. He died the following day. He was 53 years of age at the time of his death.
Agent Gregory was survived by his wife, Mrs. Jessie Gregory. At the time of his death, Gregory was assigned to the Kansas City Division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Internal Revenue.
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