Kenneth Ray Sampson

May 12, 1954 August 14, 1975

The killing of Blacks by the hands of police officers across the country is way too familiar. The most recent killings has stirred up painful memories of my family's tragedy that occurred in West Monroe, Louisiana. many years ago. The pain and suffering and many nightmares over the past 45 years of my twin brother's death has led me to share my story. On Thursday, August 14, 1975 around 8:30 P.M. my twin brother Kenneth Ray Sampson, (AKA Ray) was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer (the officer was African American) This incident occurred approximately three months after Ray's 21st birthday. Ray was a prankster, had a good sense of humor, and strived to create unity. He had just recently received an Honorable Discharged from the Unites States Army and was making plans to relocate to Seattle, Washington two weeks prior his death, to unite with several of his siblings, and from there enlist in the United States Air force, to follow my Brother, Learthes's (AKA Leechie) footsteps. My life, nor my family's lives have been the same since that dreadful night. I will provide a summary of the incident.

The Beginning of a Family's Lifelong Nightmare

While patrolling the area, an off duty officer's partner (also African American) observed a commotion taking place in the parking lot of Brown Gable Store & Café. Brown Gable was located in West Monroe, on the corner of Benson and North St. 7th Streets. The off-duty officer was visiting relatives who lived two houses from Brown Gable, being in eyesight of the commotion he walked over to the scene. Upon Ray's arrival at Brown Gable he saw the commotion, being the peacemaker that he was, Ray tried to defuse the confrontation by pleading with the parties involved to leave before it got out of hand. Ray continued to heartily begged the parties by saying, "just leave," after realizing that his efforts were futile, disappointed and frustrated, Ray said "f**k it," and proceeded to walk home. I will add that Ray did not pose a threat, physical touch or communicated with either of the officers during the process.

Bang, Bang, He Shot Him Down

I watched Ray as he walked down Benson St. I then saw the off-duty officer look in Ray's direction and said, "hey come back." By this time Ray had traveled approximately twenty-five (25) feet away from the incident. My brother didn't say a word as he turned to walk back to the officer, although being confused as to why he was summoned. I was standing approximately two (2) feet from both Officers. Ray came and stood next to me. While facing the off-duty officer, Ray slowly held both hands up in a gesture of disbelief and confusion, as if to say," what did I do?" In a calm, polite manner Ray said, "huh." Unbeknownst to me the off-duty officer quickly removed the pistol from his partner's holster and pointed it at Ray's chest. It all happened in a blinking of an eye. Immediately I heard a loud bang, then saw my twin brother slowing dropping to the ground from the bullet striking him in the chest. When my brother fell to the ground, by us being twin, unconsciously I felled to the ground. My emotions were of total shock and disbelief. Also, as twins, our spirit connected, therefore I felt my brother's pain as I laid next to him, painfully watching the blood oozing from his chest through his shirt to the ground. I saw my brother briefly struggled to lift himself off the ground, being unable to do so, his partial raised upper body slowly laid to the ground. He take a deep breath and then he was gone. Despite several eyewitnesses who said that Ray did nothing wrong, yet he was shot and killed for no apparent reason, the shooting was ruled a no true bill. In essence the shooting was justified, clearing the officers of any wrongdoing.

A Heart Too Broken to Survive

My mother, Essie Mae Sampson filed a civil lawsuit for the unlawful killing of her son. While making a valiant effort to carry the heavy burdens of anger, grief, and anguish with no success, plus the manner in which she lost her son, compounded with the continued harassment from police officers, my mother settled out of court. On Monday, October 30, 1978, approximately three years after settling, my mother died in her sleep. The death certificate listed the cause of death, but my mother died from a heart that was too broken to survive, due to the bullet that pierced her son's heart.

An Open letter To My Twin Brother and Best Friend

Ray, it's been 45 years since you have been gone. I will never forget that awful Thursday night. What started as a joyous, nice, and normal day, turned out to be dreadful nightmares that forever haunts me daily. I remember the conversation what turned out to be our last which took place earlier that morning. You gave me good sound advice. I really felt your brotherly love during that conversation, unaware that it would be our last serious talk. If I only knew it would be our last conversation, I would have frozen the moment indefinitely. My dear brother, for a long time I blamed myself for your death, but through prayers and my relationship with God I've learned that it was your time. My loving brother, initially when you were taken away from me, I felt lost, hopeless and just empty, feeling like a dried up well without water on a hot sunny day. The half that completed me (you) was taken from me, quicker than a lighting flash. It been forty-five years since you been gone, but it seems like one thousand. You, my twin brother will forever be missed deeply. The fond memories of the love we shared is imbedded in a secret place in my heart. As a result, I am much stronger, I always draw strength from knowing that you wanted me to be the best. Daily I pray for strength, for only God knows the void that was left in my heart. Ray I miss you and yes, we created the "love walk, "which was the title the siblings gave it. The love walk was so famous in our family due to our dad making you and I walked from our house to about four houses down the street, hugging and kissing each other on the cheek and saying, " I love you," during the walk. As you well know, this was one of our dad's disciplinary tool used to discipline you and I because we argued or fussed so much. You purposely annoyed me a lot, but deep down inside we both knew it was your good sense of humor and done out of pure love. Ray we have such a twin, love connection, only twins could understand the depth of such love. Finally, my pest (lol) my twin and best friend, I miss you so much, you are not forgotten and will never be. Love your twin sister, Faye

Photo Kenneth Ray Sampson