Rapides Parish remains in shock over the tragic death of former longtime sheriff William Earl Hilton who was killed in what investigators are calling an hit and run. Current Sheriff Mark Wood says 53-year-old Ladonna Delrie of Pollock ran over Hilton after the former sheriff returned home to find Delrie exiting his residence.
“To go down in your front yard, to be run over by a car, is horrendous,” Wood said.
Delrie faces several charges, including her first-degree murder. Her bond has been set at five-point-three million dollars. Sheriff Wood says they are trying to determine if Delrie and Hilton knew each other previously.
Hilton started in law enforcement in 1970. He also served in the Louisiana National Guard. Hilton was elected sheriff in 1992 and retired in 2008. He came out of retirement and served eight more years from 2012 to 2020.
Sheriff Wood is devasted over the death of the 80-year-old Hilton.
“He was a mentor to me, he was a mentor to this whole department, there are guys, including me, and ladies who would not be where they are at without this man,” Wood said.
Sheriff Wood says Hilton deserved to live several more years.
“Almost 50 years of service to this parish and to go out like this, is just unthinkable,” Wood said.
Hilton’s body was transported to Lafayette for an autopsy. RPSO Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline asks the public to keep Hilton’s family and the sheriff department in your prayers.
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