John William Bonnell, III

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office — Covington, LA

Felonious

End of Watch July 10, 1979

Age 23

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 121 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Sergeant John Bonnell was shot and killed during an undercover narcotics operation. Sergeant Bonnell was working with a confidential informant when they picked up the suspect in order to purchase cocaine during Operation Checkerboard. The suspect advised they would have to go to New Orleans 30 miles away in order to obtain the narcotics. The last thing other detectives heard Sergeant Bonnell say on his wire was "Do we have enough gas to get to New Orleans?" Some time later the confidential informant called the New Orleans Police Department to report a shooting. Sergeant Bonnell was in the front seat of the vehicle while a second subject was driving. The primary suspect was in the rear passenger seat with the confidential informant when they arrived at the Desire Housing Project in New Orleans East. The suspect exited the vehicle and without provocation shot Sergeant Bonnell in the back of the head killing him instantly. The man also shot and wounded the confidential informant. The suspects then fled but were apprehended by New Orleans police officers a short time later. The man who shot Sergeant Bonnell was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Sergeant Bonnell had served with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for two years and had previously served with the Baton Rouge Police Department for one year.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-LA-8F767A7F
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Bonnell gave the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Covington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Bonnell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office

Location Covington, LA

Platform Identity stpso.sttammany.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 10, 1979

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 23

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Sergeant John William Bonnell, III 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%.

At St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office

of 6 officers

50% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious