Sam Terry, 37, an auto mechanic and WWII veteran, was killed in 1949 by C. H. Rogers, a police officer, and Felton Avery, a fireman, in Meriwether County, Georgia. Terry was charged with creating a disturbance. Rogers and Avery alleged that Terry resisted arrest, and that Rogers shot Terry in self-defense when Terry lunged at Avery. Terry’s wife, who was arrested at the same time, recounted that when the couple at the jail, Rogers and Avery threatened to kill Terry, then proceeded to shove him in a room and beat and shot him. Terry died a day later from his wounds. Rogers and Avery were arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter but no case was ever prosecuted. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Sam Terry

Emmett Felton Avery

Charles Henry Rogers

Bureau 44-2462

Atlanta 44-299

Miami 44-184