Roll of Honor
Bill Jewel "Putt" Linder
Incident
Assistant Chief Bill Linder was shot and killed with his own service weapon after responding to a burglary call on Harlem Street at 10:00 a.m.
Upon his arrival, Chief Linder encountered a suspect. As he attempted to arrest the suspect, a struggle ensued and the suspect was able to gain control of Chief Linder's service weapon. The suspect then shot and killed the chief.
When backup deputies from the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene, they encountered the suspect wielding a hammer. The deputies were able to arrest the suspect without incident.
Assistant Chief Linder was transported to Franklin Parish Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect was charged with first-degree murder. In May 2005, he was sentenced to life in prison.
Assistant Chief Linder was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran who had served with the 4-person Wisner Police Department for 3 years and had previously served with the Baskin Police Department for approximately 6 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, a nephew, five brothers, and six grandchildren. One of his sons also served in law enforcement.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, a nephew, five brothers, and six grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-1F93EB1A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Assistant Chief of Police Linder gave the Wisner Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wisner community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Bill Jewel "Putt" Linder served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Assistant Chief of Police Bill Jewel "Putt" Linder is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bill Jewel "Putt" Linder's cause is highlighted.
How Bill Jewel "Putt" Linder Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bill Jewel "Putt" Linder is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bill Jewel "Putt" Linder was killed by officer's handgun.