J. D. Edwards (1920 - 1946), a WWII veteran and a farmer, died in Hinds County, Mississippi. Edwards’ family said that after his honorable discharge from the army, he was “shell shocked.” A few months after his return home, Deputy Sheriff J. T. Noral came to Edwards’ house, stating that he wished to take him to a government hospital. Two weeks later, Edwards’ body was found in a river. He was buried before relatives were notified about his death. The sheriff claimed that Edwards jumped out of the car and into the river while he was being taken to the hospital. The sheriff did not alert the family to what happened to Edwards until after his body was found.

J. D. Edwards

J. T. Noral