AL HR485

Bernard Whitehurst was mistakenly shot and killed by Montgomery police on December 2, 1975, near the scene of a robbery.

Police officer Donald Foster fired the fatal shot; a gun was later found 27 inches from the body that had been confiscated in a drug raid over one year prior.

The incident led to resignations of Montgomery's city mayor, public safety director, and several police officers.

Whitehurst's death left his widow Florence without a husband and separated his four children (Shiela, Tracy, Stacy, and Bernard III) who were raised by various family members.

The Alabama House of Representatives officially acknowledges the tragedy and offers a public expression of sympathy and condolence to the Whitehurst family, noting no apology or condolences had been offered in the preceding 36 years.