Louisiana Woman Executed for 1940 Valentine's Day Murder

Annie Beatrice 'Toni Jo' Henry was the only woman ever executed in Louisiana's electric chair.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Annie Beatrice 'Toni Jo' Henry was executed by electric chair on November 28, 1942, for the 1940 Valentine's Day murder of a Houston salesman. Henry and her accomplice, Horace Finnon Burks, robbed and killed Joseph P. Galloway in a rice field near Lake Charles, Louisiana. Henry was the only woman ever executed in Louisiana's electric chair, and the second person overall to be put to death in the state.

Why it matters

The execution of a woman in Louisiana's electric chair was a rare and historic event that highlighted the state's use of capital punishment in the mid-20th century. Henry's case also raised questions about gender and the death penalty, as she was the only woman ever executed in Louisiana.

The details

On the evening of February 14, 1940, Henry and Burks encountered Galloway, a traveling salesman, while hitchhiking in Orange, Texas. They forced Galloway to drive to a rice field near Lake Charles, where they stripped him of his clothing and fatally shot him. Henry later told authorities the motive was to steal Galloway's car so they could rob a bank and help Henry's husband escape from the Texas state penitentiary. Both Henry and Burks were arrested, and each accused the other of pulling the trigger. Henry was convicted and sentenced to death, while Burks was executed in 1943.

  • On February 14, 1940, Henry and Burks killed Galloway.
  • On November 28, 1942, Henry was executed by electric chair.
  • On March 23, 1943, Burks was executed by electric chair.

The players

Annie Beatrice 'Toni Jo' Henry

The only woman ever executed in Louisiana's electric chair, convicted of the 1940 murder of a Houston salesman.

Horace Finnon Burks

Henry's accomplice in the 1940 murder, who was also convicted and executed by electric chair in 1943.

Joseph P. Galloway

A 43-year-old Houston salesman who was robbed and murdered by Henry and Burks in 1940.

Rev. Wayne Richard

A local Catholic parish priest who befriended and baptized Henry while she was incarcerated, and escorted her to the electric chair and provided spiritual counsel during her final moments.

Henry A. Reid Jr.

A deputy sheriff who asked Henry if she had any final words before her execution.

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What they’re saying

“Goodbye, Father. You'll be here, won't you?”

— Annie Beatrice 'Toni Jo' Henry (Lake Charles American Press)

“Yes, I'll be right here.”

— Rev. Wayne Richard, Catholic parish priest (Lake Charles American Press)

“Keep smiling.”

— Rev. Wayne Richard, Catholic parish priest (Lake Charles American Press)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Horace Finnon Burks out on bail.

The takeaway

The execution of Annie Beatrice 'Toni Jo' Henry in Louisiana's electric chair was a rare and historic event that highlighted the state's use of capital punishment in the mid-20th century, as well as the complex issues surrounding gender and the death penalty.