Criminal Justice Matters:  Alvin Harris, 1970, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: July 2, 1970 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American

Two Others Captured

Caldwell Deputy Kills Winn Prison Escapee

One of three Negro men who escaped from the Winn Parish jail Sunday morning by
threatening the jailer was killed early Tuesday morning in a fight with a
Caldwell Parish deputy trying to arrest him, according to Winn and Caldwell
sheriffs.

The two other escapees were captured along with a Negro girl companion and
returned to Winn Parish.

Caldwell Parish Sheriff Floyd Hodges said Alvin Harris, 22, of Winnfield was
killed during a fight with Dep. Willard Thames.  He said Thames spotted a 1964
white Dodge, listed as stolen about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in Winn Parish, as it
headed northeast through Columbia.

According to Hodges, Thames followed the car into a service station east of
the Ouachita River where he tried to arrest the four occupants.  Harris turned
on the deputy while being searched for weapons and two began to struggle.

Harris cut Thames twice with a knife before the two battled over the deputy's
gun, the sheriff said.

Returned to the Winn Parish jail were Harris' younger brother, Willie Reed
Harris, 18, of Joyce, and Allen Wheat, 22, of Alexandria.  Arrested with them
was Pauline Rahlings of Winnfield, according to Hodges.

JAILER THREATENED

The three men armed with a razor blade had escaped from the Winn Parish jail
about 6:30 a.m. Sunday by threatening jailer Wes Carter and demanding the keys
to the jail, Winn Sheriff R. Sanford Jordan said.

Jordan reported Carter opened the cell where the three were being held to
empty the trash barrel.

Alvin Harris was being held on two counts of simple burglary and with simple
escape.  He had escaped shortly after being picked up May 24.  Deputies said
he was out on parole from the State Penitentiary at Angola.

Willie Reed Harris had been arrested at the same time as his older brother and
charged with burglaries at three Winn Parish businesses.  Wheat was awaiting
trial for an earlier burglary, and according to Jordan, is on probation from
Rapides Parish.

Jordan said Willie Reed Harris and Wheat have had charges of aggravated added
to the other charges, and would also be charged with auto theft.  The girl
companion has been charged with auto theft, Jordan said.