Oris Buckner facts for kids
Oris Benny Buckner III (July 16, 1951 – June 1, 2022) was an American police detective. He bravely spoke out about serious problems, including unfair treatment and violence, within the New Orleans Police Department. His statements helped lead to many legal cases against 55 people. The city of New Orleans paid $2.8 million in 1986 to settle these cases. Oris Buckner was also the brother of actress Carol Sutton.
Contents
Speaking Out Against Injustice
The Events of November 1980
On November 9, 1980, a police officer named Gregory Neupert was killed in Algiers, New Orleans. Police questioned two Black men, Robert Davis and Johnny Brownlee, about what happened. They were treated unfairly and pressured to say that two other Black men, James Billy Jr. and Reginald Miles, were responsible.
After getting these forced statements, police went to the homes of Billy and Miles. Oris Buckner was outside Miles's home when police arrived. During these police actions, James Billy Jr., Reginald Miles, and Sherry Singleton (Miles's pregnant girlfriend) died. Raymond Ferdinand also died during a separate police action related to the investigation.
Oris Buckner's Courageous Actions
Soon after these events, Oris Buckner reported what he knew to an Assistant District Attorney for the state. A special jury, made up of all white members, decided not to charge any of the police officers. This decision caused many protests in the city.
However, a different special jury, a federal one, later charged seven officers in July 1981. They were accused of violating people's civil rights. Because there was so much public attention and the police chief resigned, the trial was moved to Dallas. In March 1983, three of the seven officers—John E. McKenzie, Dale Bonura, and Stephen Farrar—were found guilty.
Aftermath and Legacy
The death of officer Gregory Neupert was never solved. Also, no one was ever charged for the deaths of Reginald Miles, James Billy Jr., Sherry Singleton, or Raymond Ferdinand. After Oris Buckner passed away in 2022, the government of Louisiana passed a special resolution. This resolution offered sympathy and respect to the Buckner family for his important work.
