Killing of Willie B. Ricks in Mississippi in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Willie B. Ricks (1921 - 1940), a lumber mill worker, was killed by police officer Harold B. Davis in Washington County, Mississippi. There were a few accounts. Clyde Pace, a Federal Alcohol Tax unit investigator, claimed Davis ordered Ricks to get off of a train after he recognized Ricks as a “known thief.” Pace alleged that Davis shot Ricks twice after Ricks failed to comply and began “fumbling at his shirt.” The Chicago Defender reported that Davis ordered several people who were stealing a ride on a train to jump off, and that when Ricks jumped, Davis immediately opened fire, killing him.

Victim(s):

Willie B. Ricks


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

[given name unknown] Davis

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1940-08-06
Location: Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi
Location type: private space - other
Allegation against victim: stealing a ride on a train; having an old feud

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: [ ]
Finding of no legal responsibility: [ ]

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
death certificates
news articles - closed
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