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Incident
Marshal Americas Lyons was shot and killed by a subject seeking revenge after having been arrested and fined $5 for disturbing the peace earlier in the day. The man swore to get even with Marshal Lyons and the town's mayor, who levied the fine. Later that same evening the man appeared at a party that Marshal Lyons was attending and demanded that the host give him $5. Hearing the commotion, Marshal Lyons came to the front of the house where he was fatally shot in the abdomen by the man. The subject was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. Several days before the scheduled execution the governor commuted the man's sentence to life in prison. He died while serving his sentence at Angola State Penitentiary. Marshal Lyons had served with the Rayne Police Department for three years and also held a commission as an Acadia Parish sheriff's deputy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Marshal Lyons gave the Rayne Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rayne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rayne Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Americus is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Americus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Americus 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 1894, 4 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1894, 70 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 103rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1894, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Americus was 41. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Americus had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Americus was 41. 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. Americus had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Americus was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Americus had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 7.7% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 12.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Rayne Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 17.3% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Rayne Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Americus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Rayne Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
