Henry G. Andrews
Henry G. Andrews, a 24-year-old farmer from Warren County, North Carolina, was a World War II veteran and the son of Emanuel Andrews and Mary S. Valentine; his father wept when he heard the news, and he was buried at Burchette Chapel cemetery. On June 7, 1947, he was taken into custody at a general store in Ridgeway and placed in a patrol car, and he was shot in the back there. Police chief Willie N. Carter is named as the officer who shot him, and officers said he struck them and the shooting was in self-defense. NAACP representatives say he was calmly pleading with the officers when he was shot three times. A Warren County coroner's inquest jury found the shooting was self-defense, and the NAACP account disputes the officers' version.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). Officers said Chief Willie N. Carter shot Andrews in self-defense, and a coroner's inquest jury agreed; the NAACP disputes that account, saying he was calmly pleading with the officers when he was shot three times.
Reported by: Norlina police officers (the agency that held him); Warren County coroner's inquest jury (medical examiner or coroner); Isaac Mayo, who was in the patrol car (witnesses); NAACP (advocates).