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Incident
Sergeant Woody Harrelson and Detective Chaney Champagne were killed when their patrol car collided with a truck on State Highway 308 approximately one mile north of Lockport.
At approximately 1530 hours, Sergeant Harrelson and Detective Champagne were responding to a call reporting an elderly woman had driven her car into a canal and the car was filling with water. While en route to the call, their car slid on the rain-slicked road into an oncoming truck. Both officers were killed as a result of the collision.
Sergeant Harrelson had served with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Department for over 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, 10-year-old son, and 4 year-old-daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Harrelson gave the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Thibodaux community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Harrelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
LaFourche Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Kurt is one of 180 officers lost to accidents in LA, 30.3% of the 595 remembered there.
Kurt is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kurt is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 4 officers in LA were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 94 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 8.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Kurt was 31. Of the 148 lost to accidents in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Kurt had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Kurt was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Kurt had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kurt was 31. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Kurt had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.8% of these deaths in LA; April holds the most, 11.1%. Thursdays: 13.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at LaFourche Parish Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.3% of all 595 deaths in LA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
LaFourche Parish Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Kurt among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from LaFourche Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
