O.D. Henderson: Difference between revisions
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O.D. Henderson was an African American man killed by [[Fairfield]] Radio Patrolman [[Thomas Nelson]] on [[ | O.D. Henderson was an African American man killed by [[Fairfield]] Radio Patrolman [[Thomas Nelson]] on [[May 9]], [[1940]]. | ||
According to reports submitted to Fairfield officials, Mr. Henderson and a white employee of [[T.C.I.]] at [[Westfield]], [[M.M. Hagood]] "bumped" into each other while crossing a road near the [[Westfield plant]], which then created an altercation. Mr. Henderson was arrested by Motorscout officer [[W.T.Glenn]] and brought to Fairfield Police Headquarters. | According to reports submitted to Fairfield officials, Mr. Henderson and a white employee of [[T.C.I.]] at [[Westfield]], [[M.M. Hagood]] "bumped" into each other while crossing a road near the [[Westfield plant]], which then created an altercation. Mr. Henderson was arrested by Motorscout officer [[W.T.Glenn]] and brought to Fairfield Police Headquarters. | ||
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On [[May 14]], Fairfield May [[C.N. Gilley]] recommended that the three officers present at the killing should be discharged. However, this recommendation was defeated by the Fairfield City Council in a five to four vote until more information became available. Less than a week later, the Fairfield City Council voted to immediately dismiss Officers Nelson and Glenn and recommended that the Civil Service Personnel Board investigate the case against Office Cook on [[May 22]], [[1940]]. Charges against Sergt. Cook were filed on [[June 7]], [[1940]] for conduct unbecoming of an officer and detrimental to public service, for unlawfully permitting Mr. Henderson to be assaulted and killed, and assault. Officer Nelson, along with Officer Glenn and Desk Sergeant [[W.G. Cook]], who was present during the shooting, were indicted by the [[Bessemer Grand Jury]] on second degree murder charges. | |||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{BN}} May 10, 1940 "Mystery Surrounds Slaying of Negro Prisoner in Fairfield" page 22 | |||
{{BN}} May 11, 1940 "Suspended Fairfield Officer Under Bond in Death of Prisoner" page 2 | {{BN}} May 11, 1940 "Suspended Fairfield Officer Under Bond in Death of Prisoner" page 2 | ||
{{BN}} May 12, 1940 "Policeman Who killed Negro Prisoner Faces Manslaughter Charge" page 26 | {{BN}} May 12, 1940 "Policeman Who killed Negro Prisoner Faces Manslaughter Charge" page 26 | ||
{{BN}} May 14, 1940 "Move by Fairfield's Mayor for Dismissal of Policeman Fails" Page 1 | |||
{{BN}} May 23, 1940 "Council In Fairfield Votes to Drop Accused Policeman" page 12 | {{BN}} May 23, 1940 "Council In Fairfield Votes to Drop Accused Policeman" page 12 | ||
Revision as of 14:04, 14 September 2019
O.D. Henderson was an African American man killed by Fairfield Radio Patrolman Thomas Nelson on May 9, 1940.
According to reports submitted to Fairfield officials, Mr. Henderson and a white employee of T.C.I. at Westfield, M.M. Hagood "bumped" into each other while crossing a road near the Westfield plant, which then created an altercation. Mr. Henderson was arrested by Motorscout officer W.T.Glenn and brought to Fairfield Police Headquarters.
In M.M. Haygood's statement concerning the killing, he admitted to striking Mr. Henderson in the face with a leather strap several times at the police headquarters and in the presence of the officers. Mr. Henderson then allegedly attempted to get a hold of Radio Patrolman Thomas Nelson's blackjack, which started a fight between the two men. Officer Nelson shot Mr. Henderson once in the abdomen and twice in the chest. Mr. Henderson was handcuffed at the time he was shot. He was taken to T.C.I. Hospital and died shortly thereafter.
On May 14, Fairfield May C.N. Gilley recommended that the three officers present at the killing should be discharged. However, this recommendation was defeated by the Fairfield City Council in a five to four vote until more information became available. Less than a week later, the Fairfield City Council voted to immediately dismiss Officers Nelson and Glenn and recommended that the Civil Service Personnel Board investigate the case against Office Cook on May 22, 1940. Charges against Sergt. Cook were filed on June 7, 1940 for conduct unbecoming of an officer and detrimental to public service, for unlawfully permitting Mr. Henderson to be assaulted and killed, and assault. Officer Nelson, along with Officer Glenn and Desk Sergeant W.G. Cook, who was present during the shooting, were indicted by the Bessemer Grand Jury on second degree murder charges.
References
The Birmingham News May 10, 1940 "Mystery Surrounds Slaying of Negro Prisoner in Fairfield" page 22
The Birmingham News May 11, 1940 "Suspended Fairfield Officer Under Bond in Death of Prisoner" page 2
The Birmingham News May 12, 1940 "Policeman Who killed Negro Prisoner Faces Manslaughter Charge" page 26
The Birmingham News May 14, 1940 "Move by Fairfield's Mayor for Dismissal of Policeman Fails" Page 1
The Birmingham News May 23, 1940 "Council In Fairfield Votes to Drop Accused Policeman" page 12
The Birmingham News May 24, 1940 Page 1 "Murder in Second Degree Laid to Four in Fairfield Shooting"
The Birmingham News June 7, 1940, page 31" Unbecoming Conduct Charged to Fairfield Desk Sergeant Cook"