Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Waller was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance at a farmhouse three miles south of Wisner. Deputy Waller, along with an agent with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, arrived at the 23-year-old man's home to find him brandishing a shotgun on his front porch. As the officers stepped out of their car the man shot Deputy Waller in the neck killing him instantly. The agent managed to wrestle the gun from the man and took him into custody. Fourteen days later the man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Three years later he received a new trial and was again sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on August 16th, 1957. Deputy Waller was survived by his wife, two stepchildren, a sister, two brothers, and six half-siblings. One of his brothers was the sheriff of Franklin Parish.
Survivors
Deputy Waller was survived by his wife, two stepchildren, a sister, two brothers, and six half-siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-E955F289- 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Waller gave the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Winnsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Waller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John L. Waller 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 Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John L. Waller's cause is highlighted.
How John L. Waller Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1957
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John L. Waller is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John L. Waller was killed by shotgun; 20 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
