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Incident
Deputies J.W. Edwards and Baxter Willis were both shot and fatally wounded when they mistook each other for a suspect they were searching for.
Both deputies, along with a railroad special agent and another deputy, were searching for a man who had fired a gun at a freight train several nights earlier. The officers had split up into two groups and searched the woods for several hours.
At around dusk the two groups encountered each other. Deputy Willis was standing on the railroad tracks when Deputy Edwards saw him, but did not recognize him. Deputy Edwards ordered him to raise his hands and then opened fire as he turned towards him.
Thinking he was being fired upon by the suspect, Deputy Willis returned the fire, striking Deputy Edwards. Deputy Edwards was killed instantly. Deputy Willis died as a result of his wounds three weeks later.
Thinking he was being fired upon by the suspect, Deputy Willis returned the fire, striking Deputy Edwards. Deputy Edwards was killed instantly. Deputy Willis died as a result of his wounds three weeks later.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Edwards served with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Monroe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
J. is one of 180 officers lost to accidents in LA, 30.3% of the 595 remembered there.
J. is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. 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 1895, 3 officers in LA were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 94 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 8.
In 1895, 15 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 129th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1895, 19 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 135th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
May holds 11.1% of these deaths in LA; April holds the most, 11.1%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office, the 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
Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, J. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
