Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana
End of Watch: Sunday, July 10, 1927
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 10, 1927
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years
Deputy Willie Stutes was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk and disorderly man at a local dance.
The man refused orders by Deputy Stutes to quiet down and leave the dance. When Deputy Stutes attempted to force him to leave the man pulled out a revolver and opened fire, striking Deputy Stutes and two men standing behind him.
The man, age 25, was arrested a short time later by the parish sheriff. On April 25, 1928, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 5 to 15 years.
Deputy Stutes was survived by his wife and six children.