Incident
Officer J.D. Blackwell was killed when a drunk driver struck his police motorcycle as he escorted a funeral procession. Officer Blackwell had served with the agency for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and three sons, and their children. One of Officer Blackwell's grandsons is now a member of the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons, and their children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Blackwell gave the Baton Rouge Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Blackwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Baton Rouge Police Department has lost 27 officers; 17 of them killed feloniously.
J. is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1968, 1 officer at Baton Rouge Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 2.
In 1968, 1 officer in LA was killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 32. Of the 15 killed feloniously at Baton Rouge Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 44.5; the middle age was 40. J. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
J. was 32. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. J. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
J. was 32. 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. J. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
J. was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. J. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.9% of these deaths at Baton Rouge Police Department; August holds the most, 23.5%. Sundays: 29.4%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Sundays: 16.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 27 deaths at Baton Rouge Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 17.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.5% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Baton Rouge Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, J. among them.
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J. B. Hare
Nov 16, 1911
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Joseph Mareno
Sep 18, 1923
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Frank E. Schoonmaker
Oct 24, 1931
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George W. Bannister
Mar 3, 1966
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Joseph E. Sanchez
Jun 6, 1966
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J. D. Blackwell
Feb 4, 1968
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Thomas R. Fancher
Sep 10, 1968
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Dennis R. Heap
Jun 1, 1972
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Karl F. Bourgoyne
Jul 14, 1977
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Linda A. Lawrence
Aug 1, 1977
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Carl Robert D'Abadie, Sr.
Apr 6, 1984
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Charles David Stegall
Jun 14, 1988
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Warren Joseph Broussard
Jun 21, 1988
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Betty Dunn Smothers
Jan 7, 1993
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Vickie Salassi Wax
May 22, 2004
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Terry Lee Melancon, Jr.
Aug 10, 2005
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Christopher Michael Metternich
Aug 14, 2006
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Mark A. Beck
Feb 25, 2008
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Montrell Lyle Jackson
Jul 17, 2016
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Matthew Lane Gerald
Jul 17, 2016
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Shane Michael Totty
Feb 1, 2019
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Glenn Dale Hutto, Jr.
Apr 26, 2020
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Charles F. Dotson
Jan 24, 2021
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Michael Stephen Godawa
Aug 1, 2021
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David Poirrier
Mar 26, 2023
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Scotty Canezaro
Mar 26, 2023
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Caleb Eisworth
Aug 10, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
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