Corporal Nick Tullier, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy shot multiple times in an ambush targeting law officers in July 2016, has died at the age of 47. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says he’s heartbroken over the passing of a true hero.
“I just can’t say enough about him,” said Gautreaux. “You knew this day would be coming at some point, but you are never really ready to hear it, but he’s in a much better place now.”
Authorities say Tullier was shot in the head, stomach, and shoulder by a gunman from Kansas City, Missouri who killed three other officers that day. Gautreaux says Tullier and fellow deputy, Sergeant Bruce Simmons, were drinking coffee that morning when they got the call of officers down.
“Just responded and not fully knowing what was going on, he knew shots had been hired and officers had been injured, and as soon as he got there this guy opened up on him and Bruce,” said Gautreaux.
Simmons was wounded but returned to work a year later.
But Gautreaux says Tullier says beat all odds by living for nearly six years after the shooting when he was only given hours to live.
“And then it was a day to live, then it went to a week, then he’s not going to live but a month, then here it is almost six years later, he had the heart of the lion, the courage and the strength,” said Gautreaux.
Tullier’s family posted on social media earlier this week that Nick had developed an infection that was worsening and he needed prayers.
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