Deputy Marshal Jessie I. Neal, Sr.

Jessie I. Neal, Sr.

Deputy Marshal Jessie Neal and Deputy Marshal Ned Wiley were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance at the town's public housing complex known as D'Arbonne Village.

The subject shot both officers in the chest at point blank range with a shotgun. The man then started to beat Deputy Marshal Neal, who was still seated in his patrol car, with a pistol. A third officer arrived on the scene and fired at the subject, who fled on foot. The man was arrested hiding in a mobile home on Circle Drive approximately three hours later.

The suspect, 45, was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two life terms. In 1994 he was granted a new trial due to improper jury selection in his first trial. Outcome unknown.

Deputy Marshal Neal was a WWII veteran and also served as the elected constable of Union Parish's Ward One. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, father, and four siblings.