County Policeman James Edwin McNair

James Edwin McNair

County Policeman James McNair was shot and killed as he and several officers raided a liquor still.

The suspect, age 42, had recently been released from a prison chain gang where he stayed 20 years. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. During the next six years he was awarded five retrials, each one ending with a conviction of murder and another death sentence. On January 10, 1933, Governor Richard Russell commuted his sentence to life. On August 8, 1937, he escaped from prison. No record if he was captured.

The Butts County Police Department no longer exist.