Patrolman First Class John Mark Hardy, Abbeville Police Department, Louisiana

Patrolman First Class John Mark Hardy

Abbeville Police Department, Louisiana

End of Watch Wednesday, December 23, 1992

John Mark Hardy

Patrolman John Hardy was shot and killed when he made a traffic stop. He was in the process of arresting the driver of the vehicle on outstanding warrants when the passenger of the vehicle walked up behind him and shot him in the head point-blank with a .45 caliber handgun.

The suspect was apprehended, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Hardy had been with the department for 2 1/2 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Bio

Age 28
Tour 2 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life in prison

Most Recent Reflection

View all 18 Reflections

In this small Cajun town of about 12,000 people, Officer Hardy's death made a huge impact. I was in school at the time, and this community never thought it would happen here. The result was a regathering of our roots as a community, and the renaming of a main street from the legend of the pirate Jean Lafitte (who supposedly operated a base in the area) to honoring Officer Hardy.

J. Gaspard, civilian
Hometown citizen

March 31, 2018