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Incident
Sergeant Louis Wagner was shot and killed in an ambush as he drove home from the sheriff's office. His body was found in front of a business along Louisiana 21 south of the Covington city limits. It is suspected the assailant hid in the rear of his pickup truck while it was parked at the sheriff's office and surprised him as he drove home. Sergeant Wagner's body was located in front of the business while his truck was found at a different location several hours later. While one felon was on death row for capital murder, he pleaded to second-degree murder for killing Sergeant Wagner with three other men in retaliation for an arrest Sergeant Wagner had made. The felon received another life sentence for Sergeant Wagner's murder. He ultimately recanted the accusations against the other men, and they were never tried for his murder. Years later, another serial killer confessed to killing Sergeant Wagner, but authorities concluded he could not have committed the murder. Because of the other confession, the felon recanted his confession. He claimed his confession to the murder was because he believed he could escape from the St. Tammany Parish jail while awaiting sentencing. He was executed in 1984.
Survivors
Sergeant Wagner was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Wagner served with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Covington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wagner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Louis is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Louis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Louis is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 7 officers in LA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Louis was 25. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40.
Louis was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Louis was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 8.5% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 15.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Louis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
