Killing of Eugene Ward in Alabama in 1948

Incident

Case summary

Eugene Ward (1911 – 1948), a laborer and WWII veteran, was killed by police officers Lawton Grimes and Sam Montgomery in Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama. The officers said they arrived at a home in response to a call about a prowler and found Ward on the porch, and that they opened fire when Ward allegedly pulled out a knife.

Victim(s):

Eugene Ward


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Lawton Grimes Sr.

Sam Montgomery

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1948-04-30
Location: Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: private space - domestic
Allegation against victim: prowling; pulling a knife on a police officer

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: yes

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

DOJ case ID:

144-1-121


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