Killing of Roosevelt Theodule in Louisiana in 1941

Incident

Case summary

Roosevelt Theodule, age 27, a card-cutter, died in 1941, killed by Deputy Sheriff Gus Walker in New Iberia Parish, Louisiana. Walker claimed that he was arresting Theodule for attempting to attack a white girl, and when Theodule resisted arrest and tried to take Walker’s gun, Walker shot him. A coroner’s jury deemed it justifiable homicide. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Roosevelt Theodule

Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Gus Walker

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1941-05-31

Location: Olivier, Iberia Parish, Louisiana

Location type: victim's home

Allegation against victim: dating a white girl, who was a police officer's stepdaughter

Coroner process

Coroner/inquest: yes

Finding of no legal responsibility: yes