Joseph W. Jarreau, Jr.
Agency patch
Corporal

Joseph W. Jarreau, Jr.

Felonious
End of Watch November 23, 1985
Age 49
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 130 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Corporal Joseph Jarreau was killed when his patrol car was struck by a vehicle being operated by an intoxicated driver on River Road in Port Allen. He was on patrol when a DWI driver crossed the yellow line. As Corporal Jarreau was trying to avoid the wreck by turning into a driveway, the DWI driver hit him broadside. Corporal Jarreau died from his injuries. The driver was apprehended and sentenced to five years in prison. Corporal Jarreau had served with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office for nine years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and eight children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-A4DEFC1F
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.
Corporal Jarreau gave the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Allen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Jarreau.

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

Agency

Location Port Allen, LA
Platform Identity wbrpso.wbr.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 23, 1985
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Sentenced to five years in prison.

Corporal Joseph W. Jarreau, Jr. 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 West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office
4
of 5 officers
80% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph W. Jarreau, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Joseph W. Jarreau, Jr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
49
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to five years in prison.

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph W. Jarreau, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph W. Jarreau, Jr. was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location