Officer Robert Laughlin

Robert Laughlin

Officer Laughlin succumbed to a gunshot wound received two days earlier after he responding to a report of a disturbance on Washington Avenue North. When he arrived one of the suspects stated he would not be arrested and fled. Officer Laughlin chased him and as he came around the corner on First Avenue he exchanged shots with the man and was struck in the stomach. He was taken to his home where he died two days later. The suspect was apprehended and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

The suspect was convicted of second degree manslaughter and sentenced to 7 years hard labor.

Officer Laughlin had been with the agency for only two months and was survived by his wife.