Sergeant Thomas Alexander was shot and killed on 9/11/10 while responding to a burglary in progress in Richland Parish. A woman had called 911 at 9:04 p.m. to report the sound of breaking glass. Sergeant Alexander, who was the closest officer to the location, despite the call coming from outside of the city limit responded at 9:15 p.m. Sergeant Alexander was the first officer to arrive at the scene and checked on the victim and entered the building without backup. Three suspects were hidden inside and ambushed Sergeant Alexander and opened fire as he conducted the search and approached a closet. Sgt. Alexander was shot numerous times and pronounced dead at the scene. Responding deputies heard the shots as they arrived on the scene and took one of the suspects, Robert J. Walker, who was hiding under a bed, into custody inside the home. The two other suspects, Anthony D. Oatis was arrested two hours later in Richland Parish and Richard L. Long was arrested the next day in Monroe were apprehended a short time later. He received many commendations and certificates of appreciation for his outstanding and dedicated service. Sergeant Alexander had served with the Rayville Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office for seven years. He is survived by his wife Mary Louise Alexander, and four daughters, Deborah Jackson (Willie), TaShekia V. Alexander, Amelia Alexander, and LaDeanna Davis along with his K9 partner “Stef”.
and are currently being held without bond. All three had previous records,
