Killing of Leonard Ward in Alabama in 1932

Incident

Case summary

Leonard Ward (1907 – 1932), a laborer, was shot by police officers George and Duke in Birmingham, Alabama. The officers said they arrested Ward for alleged drunkenness and were placing him in a car when he knocked Duke over and ran. A fight ensued and both officers are said to have fired at the victim. Ward died at a hospital several hours later. A coroner returned a finding of justifiable homicide.

Victim(s):

Leonard Ward


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

F. E. Duke

H. B. George

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1932-08-20
Location: Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: resisting arrest

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

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


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