Evening star., 1902-02-04
BULLET IN HIS BRAIN
POLICEMAN BERRYMAN COMMITS
SUICIDE IN SOUTH WASHINGTON.
Had Been Dependent Over the Filing
of Charges Against Him-Na-
tive of Virginia.

Rather than appear before the trial board
and answer charges Policeman Eppa Hun
ton Bergman committed suicide last night
at his home, No. 456 K street southwest.
He took his life by sending bullet into
his brain. His brother John g. Bergman,
also policeman, was on post duty at
Cleveland Park last night and he was tele-
phoned to return home as soon as the po-
lice learned Of the tragedy enacted in South
Washington.
The deceased was twenty-seven years old
and was a native of Warrenton, Va. He
came here several years after his brot her
had become a member of the police force
and passed the civil service examination
At the time of his appointment he was
assigned to duty in the sixth precinct, and
later he was transferred to the eighth pre-
cinct. About three months ago he was
transferred to the third precinct station
for duty under Lieut.. Boyle About the
time OF his last transfer his aged parents
came mere from Virginia and had since
hved with him at the X street residence.
Berryman was fine specimen of physi-
cal MANHOOD, and was regarded as an able
ana ef1cient member of the force. Only a
rev days ago he figured in case In the
Police Court in which the witnesses on the
SIDE of the defense accused him of having
oeen drinking. 1t was state that he went
TO the home of a colored family near 10Th
ana NJ streets northwest because OF COM
plant having been made about a noisy
canine, and while at the house he got into
a row and an arrest was made. The trial
OF the case resulted in the acquittal of the
person who had been arrested and then
charges We're filed against the officer - -
Victim of an Accident. ,, ,.
Several days ago Bergman fell on the ice
and sprained his ankle. He reported sick
of h tic
house since the accident occurred. Yester-
day he remained at home all day with the
exception of a short time when he called
at the police station to see his lieutenant.
Since the Police Court episode Friday, when
witnesses accused him of intoxicatio Ber-
ryman has seemed Respondent Yesterday
AFTERNOON he received copy of the charges
.hat mad been preferred against him and
last night he read it over several times
IN; Iheh ne penned a note to a friend request
ing the latter to assist him in the matter.
After writing the note he and his father
Went upstairs. the former to his room and
the latter to the room of his wife
IN Mrs. rs Berryman, the officers mother, was
III IN the house last night. The Young
mans father had just removed his coat and
vest when he heard the report of the pistol.
he he rushed to the sons room and found the
ID ID hf tl iyins on the bed with bullet hole
IN MS left temple. The son could not sneak
ana the father hurried out In search of an
olncer Sergt. Montgomery and Policeman
Mehle s were found and a physician was
summoned. He pronounced life extinct
ana Acting Coroner Glazebrook gave per
mission to an undertaken to prepare the
oody Tor burial. This morning DIR. Glaze
brook gave a certificate of death from a
sef-lnfiicted wound. The deceased was a
member of Hope Lodge of Masons, and was
also a member of the Junior Order of Me-
chahlcs. The arrangements for his funeral
VIII VIII probably be in charge of the organiza-
ions with which he was connected