Charley Curry (1924 - 1947), a construction worker and a veteran, was killed by policeman Nolan O. Ray in Dallas, Texas. Ray, who was out of uniform and appears to have been off-duty at the time of the incident, shot Curry on a Dallas trolley bus. Ray told all the Black passengers on the bus to take their hands out of their pockets. According to police reports, Curry was sitting towards the back of the trolley and some witnesses claimed that Curry was asleep at the time of Ray’s demand. When Curry did not take his hands out of his pocket Ray shot him in the face. He was killed instantly. Trial jury acquitted Ray of murder without malice.

Charley Curry

Nolan O. Ray