Killing of Arthur Collins in Alabama in 1950

Incident

Case summary

Arthur Collins, age 37, a WWII veteran, was killed in 1950 by Highway Patrol Sergeant W. A. Norris in Dothan, Alabama. Collins, who was possibly suffering from mental illness, was allegedly terrorizing his family and neighborhood with a rifle. During a stand-off with numerous police officers, Collins was shot in the head by Norris.

Victim(s):

Arthur Collins


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Joseph Allen

Lake Burdick

Johnny Fields

Eddie D. Kelley

James Lewis

A. F. Mason

Ralph McCord

W. A. Norris

Mike Palmer

C. S. Pier

Joe Smelley

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1950-03-11
Location: Dothan, Houston County, Alabama
Location type: victim's home
Allegation against victim: running amok; firing a weapon at police officers; domestic disturbance

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

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

DOJ case ID:

144-1-121


Document(s):
census records - closed
death certificates
federal agency records
military documents - closed
news articles - closed
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