A Webster Parish deputy was killed Friday night while responding to a call as a Doyline patrol officer. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said William Earl Collins, Junior, also known as Billy, was a good officer, father, and husband.
“It just breaks my heart, because every time we put on this uniform and we go out and we try to serve the public this could happen to anybody, this could happen to anyone of us,” said Parker.
Collins was a full-time deputy at the Bayou Dorcheat Correction Center but was serving as a part-time Doyline police officer when he was shot.
The shooting happened just off Green Tree Road. Parker said Collins was airlifted to LSU Ochsner Health and died shortly before 8 pm.
“At this time all I know it was a disturbance that the Sheriff’s Office received, and Billy was on duty, and he was dispatched and two of my deputies responded to assist,” said Parker.
Collins was shot in the head. The two deputies assisting were not injured but, their patrol units were damaged by gunfire.
The suspect reportedly barricaded himself in the home for several hours after shooting Collins but was later taken into custody with life-threatening injuries. Parker declined to give the suspect’s name because he wanted the focus to be on the loss of Collins. Parker said his heart goes out to the Collins family.
“My main focus over the next few days, over the next few weeks, months, is going to support them and give them all that I can to help make this better and give them some closure,” said Parker.
State police are investigating the shooting.
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