Deputy Sheriff Charles Randal "Randy" Smith

Charles Randal "Randy" Smith

Deputy Charles Smith was shot and killed while he and other officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant on a man wanted for escaping from the parish jail.

The officers had received information that the suspect was in a trailer owned by the family near Mamou. When the officers arrived, the family refused to let the officers in so the officers waited at the scene while a warrant was sworn out.

Once the warrant was received, Deputy Smith and a second deputy attempted to enter the house, but the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Smith in the chest. Deputy Smith was able to make it to a yard next door before collapsing. Other officers were unable to make it to his location because the suspect was pinning them down with gunfire. The suspect eventually came out of the home holding his gun and was shot and killed. By the time rescue personnel were able to make it to Deputy Smith's location, he had died.

Deputy Smith had been employed with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department for three years, and is survived by his wife and 10-year-old son.