Killing of Henry Thomas in Florida in 1953

Incident

Case summary

Henry Thomas (1874-1953), a preacher, handyman, was killed by police officers in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. A dog belonging to Pearl Harrel, Thomas's neighbor, had caught one of Thomas's chickens, causing Thomas to start shooting. Harrel called the police. Officers Thomas Presslie Fields and James W. Duncan arrived, and then called for back-up, which included officers Willard E. Winnett, Fred Willie Lovering, and Driskle H. Handley. Thomas and the officers exchanged fire, and Thomas was fatally shot.

Victim(s):

Henry Thomas


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

James W. Duncan

Thomas Presslie Fields

Driskle H. Handley Jr.

Fred Willie Lovering

Ernest Joel Thrower

Willard Eugene Winnett

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1953-05-21
Location: Lakeland, Polk County, Florida
Location type: victim's home
Allegation against victim: shooting a neighbor's dog; shooting at police officers

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

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

FBI case ID:

Miami 44-373

DOJ case ID:

144-18-293


Document(s):
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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