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| | '''Joseph Burgess Cornelius, Sr.''', known as '''Joe Cornelius, Sr.''' (September 9, 1942 – September 1, 2024), was an [[African-American]] [[business]]man and [[community organizer]] in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], [[Louisiana]], and a former interim [[mayor]] of his city, located in Webster Parish in the northwestern portion of the state. He was the second black person in nearly a quarter century to succeed directly from the Minden City Council to the mayor's position after an unexpected vacancy developed. | | '''Joseph Burgess Cornelius, Sr.''', known as '''Joe Cornelius, Sr.''' (September 9, 1942 – September 1, 2024), was an [[African-American]] [[business]]man and [[community organizer]] in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], [[Louisiana]], and a former interim [[mayor]] of his city, located in Webster Parish in the northwestern portion of the state. He was the second black person in nearly a quarter century to succeed directly from the Minden City Council to the mayor's position after an unexpected vacancy developed. |
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| − | On the morning of September 1, 2024, Minden police discovered the bodies of former Mayor Cornelius and his daughter, Keisha Miles, in a house on Austin Street. A juvenile has confessed to the gunshot murders. In eight days, Cornelius would have observed his 83rd birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press-herald.com/former-minden-mayor-daughter-shot-and-killed-juvenile-suspect-in-custody/|title=Former Minden mayor, daughter shot and killed; juvenile suspect in custody|publisher=''[[Minden Press-Herald]]''|date=September 1, 2024|accessdate=September 3, 2024}}</ref> | + | On the morning of September 1, 2024, Minden police discovered the bodies of former Mayor Cornelius and his daughter, Keisha Miles, in a house on Austin Street. An 11-year-old related to Cornelius confessed to the gunshot murders. In eight more days, Cornelius would have observed his 83rd birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press-herald.com/former-minden-mayor-daughter-shot-and-killed-juvenile-suspect-in-custody/|title=Former Minden mayor, daughter shot and killed; juvenile suspect in custody|publisher=''[[Minden Press-Herald]]''|date=September 1, 2024|accessdate=September 3, 2024}}</ref> |
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| | ==Background== | | ==Background== |
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| | Cornelius's funeral was held on September 13, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Minden. He was interred at the Sheppard Street Cemetery in Minden. | | Cornelius's funeral was held on September 13, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Minden. He was interred at the Sheppard Street Cemetery in Minden. |
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| | + | Current Minden Mayor Nick Cox said in tribute: "Joe Cornelius's years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community. On a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city," Cox said in a statement. "During this incredibly difficult time, I ask that we all keep Joe's family in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort and strength in the midst of this tragedy. Let us come together as a community to honor Joe's memory and support one another through this time of grief."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abc7ny.com/boy-11-confesses-to-fatally-shooting-82-year-old-man-and-daughter/15263318/|title=11-year-old allegedly confesses to fatally shooting 82-year-old man and his daughter |
| | + | The 11-year-old is related to the victims. A motive isn't clear, police said.|publisher=abc7ny.com|author=Emily Shapiro|date=September 3, 2024|accessdate=September 15, 2024}}</ref> |
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |