Claiborne NAACP addresses concerns in Homer man's shooting death

By Vickie Welborn • vwelborn@gannett.com • September 1, 2009

Bernard Monroe

HOMER — Keeping alive the memory of a Homer man who many believe was senselessly gunned down by Homer police was one of the purposes of a news conference Monday led by the Claiborne Parish Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In addition to awareness of Bernard Monroe Sr.'s shooting death on Feb. 20, NAACP members and area clergy also called for accountability among the police force and action from the district attorney's office, which last week was handed the results of a six-month state police investigation.

"We're asking for every citizen to stand with us in asking the district attorney to decide the case on its merits," said the Rev. Willie Young, NAACP president.

The 73-year-old Monroe man, who is black, was shot to death on his property after two white Homer police officers — Tim Cox and Joey Henry — chased Monroe's son into the yard and through the house. Homer police said Monroe had a gun. Witnesses said he did not.

Charges were not filed against Monroe's son, drugs were not involved and two people were not being chased, despite initial information Homer police filed through the state police within hours after the slaying. It's the numerous inconsistencies police made public then, in addition to other incidents that have many community members still distrustful of Police Chief Russell Mills and his police officers.

Reports of harassment, poor hiring practices and incomplete compliance with public records requests were cited as ongoing problems. Young cited his own conflicts with an officer not involved in the shooting, one of which took place after Monroe's death on the church parking lot.

"I'm afraid of the Homer police "» because they feel there is no law but them. No one is above the law," Young said.

Even though Young was flanked by members of Monroe's immediate family, including his widow Louise Monroe and son Sean Monroe, none spoke publicly. Georgia Norton, who is Louise Monroe's sister, said after the news conference that the family is withholding comment until a later time, perhaps after District Attorney Jonathan Stewart makes a decision on how, or whether, he'll proceed further with the investigation