Killing of Roosevelt Jones in Tennessee in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Roosevelt Jones, 26, a farm laborer, was killed in 1940 by a posse headed by Sheriff W. C. Williamson in Dyer County, Tennessee. The police claimed that Jones had shot and wounded an Arkansas officer after he was stopped and questioned for a theft. The sheriff-led posse tracked down Jones and shot him.

Victim(s):

Roosevelt Jones


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

J. Abner Ashcroft

Eddie B. David

Will Essary

F. D. Ferrell

Charles Finley

Bert Freeman

W. C. Williamson

Perpetrator group type: police, posse, mob

Date of incident: 1940-07-31
Location: Dyersburg, Dyer County, Tennessee
Location type: unknown - rural
Allegation against victim: committing minor theft or a traffic violation; shooting a police officer

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: [ ]
Finding of no legal responsibility: [ ]

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


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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