Representatives from several law enforcement agencies were in attendance, including Louisiana State Police, Monroe and West Monroe police departments, Ouachita Parish Sherriff’s Office and Ouachita Parish Fire Department.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

The News-Star reported on Saturday that Cpls. Brandon Waggoner and Jeff Winborne heard the crash and saved Truly Wade, 41, of Farmerville, and her son late Thursday.

Farmerville Police Chief E. “Bim” Coulbertson says the wreck is still under investigation. He says Wade was coming from Ruston to Farmerville when the car struck the bridge railing and flipped into the water. He says the investigator’s report quotes Wade as saying she fell asleep.

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In 2008, the unit still had four dogs: two drug-sniffing Labradors and two German shepherds used as trackers.

The unit will be down two dogs by this spring, however, and the city budget doesn’t have enough money to replace the animals.

Enter the Rotary Club of Monroe’s K-9 Krusade.

Collette Reams, the Krusade’s lead coordinator, said the effort will try to raise $120,000 in about three years for police dogs.

The money, Reams said, has to come from somewhere. “It may as well come from us,” he said.

Problems for the K-9 unit began in 2008. That’s when Bismarck, a tracking dog, succumbed to meningitis. His vacancy went unfilled in the cash-strapped city.

Later this spring, the department will lose one of its drug-sniffing dogs, Brutus. The black Labrador turns 10 this year and will retire.

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During a brief ceremony, Monroe Police Chief Ron Schleuter awarded the department’s Medal of Valor to members of the department’s Special Response Team for their part in the June 11 standoff at a home on North McGuire Street. During the incident, SRT members entered the home during an armed standoff and rescued a crying infant who was lying on the floor.

“They made entry into the home without regard to themselves,” Schleuter said. “We felt that given the fact they went into the situation without regard for their safety, they deserved to be recognized for what they did.”

Officers recognized were Hank Smith, Mark Johnson, Jeff Gilbert, Mark Nappier, Jerry Melton, Carey Satrey, Lee Bishop, Quinton Holmes, Ted Kincannon and Jamie Eppinette.

On June 11, Bobby Brantley walked into a North McGuire Street home and shot his estranged wife and her mother before shooting himself after a standoff as police entered the house to save a 4-month-old boy, who was lying next to one of the women.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, Brantley went to the house shortly before noon armed with two shotguns, shooting and swearing as he approached.

His estranged wife, Theresa Brantley, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene, along with 55-year-old Treeba Ryder and Bobby Brantley. Theresa Brantley’s father, Clinton Ryder, 60, survived a glancing blast to the face from a shotgun.

A two-hour standoff ensued with dozens of emergency personnel, including Monroe police and fire, state troopers and SWAT officers. Schleuter said the Special Response Team decided to go into the home after it sent a digitally equipped robot inside and heard the infant cry. Through the robot camera, they also could see a woman lying on the floor.

The women, he said, were already dead when the response team went in.

As Gilbert and Bishop walked into the kitchen, they saw Brantley shoot himself.

“It was a very unfortunate incident — tragic,” Bishop said. “But it’s an honor to be recognized.

“So many times in your career you encounter these kinds of things in the line of duty and it’s nice to be appreciated.”

In June, the police department honored the Ryders’ neighbor Alissa Gaines, with a certificate of appreciation and a coin of commendation for helping three children who were in the house get to safety after the first shots were fired.

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