Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Wyatt Nugent and Chief Deputy Delmer Brunson were shot and killed while responding to the scene of a prior shooting. A farmer had refused to disinfect his livestock of the Texas tick and had fired on rangers who had gone to his ranch in an effort to enforce the dipping law. The farmer and his son fired on the rangers. As Sheriff Nugent and Chief Deputy Brunson approached the scene after the initial incident they were both shot and killed by the farmer. The suspect was captured by a posse two days later. The 41-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Sheriff Nugent had served with the Grant Parish Sheriff's Office for eight years and was survived by his wife, 11 children, parents, and eight siblings. His wife served as sheriff for the remainder of his term.
Survivors
Sheriff Nugent had served with the Grant Parish Sheriff's Office for eight years and was survived by his wife, 11 children, parents, and eight siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-17A1878B- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Nugent gave the Grant Parish Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colfax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Nugent.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Wyatt Luther Nugent 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 Grant Parish Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wyatt Luther Nugent's cause is highlighted.
How Wyatt Luther Nugent Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wyatt Luther Nugent is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wyatt Luther Nugent was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Grant Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
