DeRidder Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch: Friday, February 17, 2006
Age: 66
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Date of Incident: September 27, 1997
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Did not face trial
Lieutenant Herman Brooks died of injuries he sustained eight and a half years earlier when he was struck by vehicle.
He was assisting at the scene of an automobile accident when the driver of a vehicle passing the accident was signaled to change lanes by another officer. The driver did not follow the instructions and struck Lieutenant Brooks.
Lieutenant Brooks was thrown head first into the path of another moving vehicle, and sustained massive head injuries. He was removed to a hospital where he remained on life support for 8.5 years.
A grand jury failed to return a true bill against the driver.
Lieutenant Brooks had served with the DeRidder Police Department for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.