 Officer W. V. RobertsEnd of Watch: Monday, September 2, 1912 Biographical Information Incident Details |
A load of cattle was unloaded from an Iron Mountain railroad car in Monroe and placed in the company’s stock pen. Around 10:00 p.m. on September 2, twenty heads of cattle were stolen and driven off. The police was notified at which time Officer Roberts and Ouachita Parish Deputy Sheriff Grant responded to conduct an investigation.
Deputy Sheriff Arthur Grant went to Swayze Packing House in search of the cattle since they were consigned to that business while Officer Roberts continued to search the immediate area. Soon after they parted, Officer Roberts walked a short distance along the railroad and witnesses heard 3-4 gunshots.
Officer Roberts was struck a single gun shot to his chest which resulted in his death near the Iron Mountain Railroad crossing. Officer Roberts returned at least two shots before succumbing to his fatal injury.
The suspect fled the scene and the case was never solved.
Officer Roberts remains were sent to Baton Rouge for internment beside his wife who preceded him in death by one month. He was survived by three (3) sons and three (3) daughters and was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. A committee of the Stonewall Lodge escorted the body to Baton Rouge.
