Tennessee Highway Patrol commissioner who directed the patrol’s response in Columbia and took an active role in the raid on East Eighth Street
Lynn Bomar was serving as commissioner of the Tennessee Highway Patrol when Governor Jim McCord sent him to Columbia after four police officers were wounded on the night of February 25, 1946. Bomar arrived with dozens of patrolmen and reportedly began deputizing white civilians gathered near the square, encouraging them to obtain weapons from the local armory. The armory’s commander refused to release the weapons and contacted the Tennessee State Guard.
Although General McGavock Dickinson favored waiting until daylight and using a controlled show of force, the Highway Patrol entered Mink Slide before the agreed time. Bomar moved through the district with the patrolmen as they searched homes and businesses, confiscated hundreds of guns, arrested Black residents and damaged property throughout East Eighth Street. Later testimony also described beatings and other mistreatment during the operation.
When asked during later testimony whether he had actively participated in the raid, Bomar answered that he had been involved “right up to my neck.” His conduct and testimony became important to the defense, with attorney Maurice Weaver later arguing that Bomar’s manner on the witness stand weakened the prosecution’s credibility.
Lynn Bomar
