Byrd Family, Community Leaders React to Dragging Death - 10 Years Later

It was ten years ago this week that the dragging death of James Byrd, Junior made national headlines and prompted people across the nation to talk about race relations, and now those close to the case, including a former sheriff, community leaders and a sister of Byrd, are pausing to remember and reflect with KFDM News.

Byrd's body was discovered on June 7, 1998.  He had been tied to a chain and dragged nearly three miles behind a pickup truck down a road in Jasper County until he was dead.

Two white supremacists, John King and Lawrence Brewer, were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death.

Shawn Berry received a life sentence.

Now, ten years later, the family and some of those leaders are reflecting on their community, then and now.

"We're making it, and ten years is very, very emotional, but we're getting through," said Betty Boatner, a sister of James Byrd, Junior. 

Boatner has spent every day of the past ten years working through the pain of her brother's dragging death.

Boatner, Father Ron Foshage and Walter Diggles with the Deep East Texas Council of Governments say they've also spent every day focusing on racial harmony, and they believe Jasper, Texas has become a better town because of it.

"I think our community looks at the person as a whole, way more than any other city, and that's because of the self evaulation we did," said Billy Rowles.

Billy Rowles was the sheriff ten years ago when James Byrd, Junior was dragged to his death early in the morning on June 7, 1998. After they found the body, law enforcement officers quickly met with city leaders and the Byrd family.

"I think by visiting with the preachers and the Byrd family is the main reason we had peace and harmony in Jasper," said Rowles .

"We decided African-American and white voices needed to speak with one voice," said Father Ron Foshage.

And when the KKK and the Black Panthers marched through town, there were few, if any, followers.

The Byrd family, and the strength, leadership and unity it provided, is credited with helping keep the peace, along with law enforcement.

"When the KKK and Black Panthers ended up coming to Jasper they saw a community of love and justice, and to see a community that was pulling together," said Diggles.

And in reflecting on the past decade, these people say the unity the town showed in 1998 has set an example that hasn't faded away with time.

A memorial service is planned for this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the James Byrd, Junior Memorial Park on Burch Street in Jasper.

District Judge John Stevens will be the guest speaker.  He assisted with the prosecution of the case.