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Deputy Marshal Jessie I. Neal, Sr. | Farmerville Police Department, Louisiana
Farmerville Police Department, Louisiana

Deputy Marshal

Jessie I. Neal, Sr.

Farmerville Police Department, Louisiana

End of Watch: Sunday, April 8, 1973

Biographical Info

Age: 46
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 8, 1973
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

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.