Feltus Sterling
May 27, 2004
New Orleans, Louisiana

Two are sought in death of cab driver
Victim had survived a shooting in 1996 

Saturday, May 29, 2004  

By Leslie Williams
Staff  writer 

In 1996, Feltus Sterling, then a driver for Rollins Cab  Service, survived 
being shot after he picked up three fares in New Orleans early one morning. On 
Thursday, Sterling was not so lucky.  

Sterling, 58, was robbed and beaten by a man and a woman at the intersection 
of South Derbigny and Erato streets about 3 a.m., police said.  He died of 
head injuries Thursday at 6:25 p.m. at Charity Hospital, according to the 
coroner's office.

A preliminary investigation revealed Sterling was off duty when he was pulled 
from his cab and beaten with a blunt object, said officer Jonette Williams, 
a New Orleans Police Department spokeswoman.  Friday night, police issued a 
warrant for the arrest of Timothy Brooks, 24, of New Orleans, Williams said.  

Over the years, Sterling had worked for Rollins Cab Service, White Fleet 
Cab, Yellow Cab and Classic Cab Co. in Metairie, said Susan Murphy, the manager 
and dispatcher for Classic Cab, who worked with Sterling for the past 4 ½ 
years.

He also drove part time at night for Yellow Cab, according to police.  

Murphy met Sterling five or six years ago when she went to the Rollins 
office at South Jefferson Davis Parkway and Bienville Street to drop off some 
paperwork.

"He was down there, talking, hanging out. He was one of those kind of guys 
who you have a love-hate relationship with. He drove you insane, but you loved 
him to death," she said.

"How ya been today, baby," was one of his favorite greetings, she said. "He 
made everybody feel like he cared about them."

Sterling played the lottery every day, she said. He loved spending time with 
his 6-year-old daughter, "who is a character, very smart and talkative."
  
During the past 4 ½years, Murphy would see Sterling about once a week, she 
said. The core of their contact was over the radio, chatter back and forth to 
his cab, No. 22.

"He had this voice. It had a rough tone. He always sounded like he was mad. 
If you didn't know him, you'd think he was always mad," she said.  
"Everyone warmed up to him after they got to know him," Murphy said.  
The last time she spoke to him was Wednesday afternoon. As usual, it was 
over the radio.

"I gave him an order to pick up a package," Murphy said. "I didn't get to 
say goodbye."

Sixth District Detectives Matthew McCleary and Sergeant Chris Billiot are 
investigating, Williams said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111 or toll 
free at 1 (877)-903-7867. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for 
information leading to the arrest and indictment of the persons. Callers do not 
have to testify or identify themselves.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

1996 assault

Feltus Sterling (Age 50)
Rollins Cab Service
Critically wounded/survived
Perlita St., New Orleans, LA 
(Orleans Parish)

Summary information courtesy of:
Nancy Burris, Head Librarian
The Times-Picayune LLC
June 18, 2007

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