Killing of Edgar Bernard Thomas Sr. in Alabama in 1945

Incident

Case summary

Edgar Bernard Thomas Sr., 63, a merchant and restaurant owner, was killed in his store in 1945 by police officer Dewey Bradley in Union Springs, Bullock County, Alabama. Thomas had earlier complained to city officials that Bradley had been harassing him. Grand jury declined to indict. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Edgar Bernard Thomas Sr.


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Dewey Columbus Bradley

Calvin M. Hughes

Hollis Eugene Whittle

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1945-10-13
Location: Union Springs, Bullock County, Alabama
Location type: victim's workplace
Allegation against victim: following Officer Bradley the night previously; "Goddamning the police"; protesting his arrest to the mayor; attacking a police officer

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

Criminal process
Arrest: yes
Charge/indictment/information: no
Grand jury: yes
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]

FBI case ID:

Birmingham 44-54

San Juan 44-2

Birmingham 44-93

Bureau 44-1324

Birmingham 44-82

DOJ case ID:

144-2-15

144-18-39


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
correspondence
death certificates
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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