Prev
Octavio Rafael Gonzalez
Incident
Captain Octavio Gonzalez was shot and killed while participating in a manhunt for two suspects who had shot and wounded another deputy minutes earlier.
The wounded deputy and his partner were conducting a narcotics operation and had stopped a vehicle with out-of-state plates on U.S. Highway 51. As the deputies approached the vehicle, the driver opened fire on them, striking one of the deputies in the leg.
Both suspects then fled the scene as other units responded to the area. While Captain Gonzalez searched for the suspects in the Spring Meadow Subdivision in LaPlace at 1:20 a.m., he was distracted by a female posing as a stranded motorist. As he contacted dispatch, he was ambushed by the male suspect and shot in the back and side three times.
The male and female suspects then stole Captain Gonzalez's duty rifle and vehicle and fled into a residential area, where they took three people, including an elderly female and a young boy, hostage in their home. The shooter eventually surrendered after a standoff at the home.
The female suspect, a convicted felon, was sentenced to 40 years for three counts of kidnapping and 50 years for two counts of armed robbery. On April 1, 2008, the male suspect, a convicted felon, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole and an additional 50 years for the attempted murder of the deputy.
Captain Gonzalez had served with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Department for 13 years and served as the commander of the Narcotics Division.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnnc2ya4p67yw16z1fsp- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Octavio. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Captain Gonzalez gave the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the LaPlace community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Gonzalez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Octavio is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Octavio is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Octavio is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2006, 1 officer at St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 2012, with 2.
In 2006, 4 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Octavio was 40. Of the 7 killed feloniously at St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 50; the middle age was 37. Octavio had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Octavio was 40. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Octavio had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Octavio was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Octavio had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Octavio was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Octavio had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 14.3% of these deaths at St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 28.6%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.5% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 15.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 87.5% of all 8 deaths at St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 13.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Octavio among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
