WESTWEGO, La. (AP) - A steady flow of mourners paid their respects Friday to a Westwego police officer killed last week after stopping to investigate a car crash.
Officer Michael Louviere, 26, was shot to death Jan. 20 on his way home from work. The crash resulted from a shooting that started that morning and ended with Louviere and the woman driving the car dead.
Authorities say Sylvester Holt, 32, who had at one time been romantically involved with the woman, shot and chased her down after finding out she was pregnant by her new boyfriend. After shooting Simone Veal and the officer, Holt went to a bridge overlooking the Mississippi River and climbed out onto a girder. After an hours-long standoff with authorities, he shot himself in the chest and died.
There were few dry eyes at the White Dove Baptist Church where funeral services were held for Louviere.
Louviere’s mother and father addressed the crowd gathered to remember their son.
“He lived his life well,” Pam Louviere said.
The fallen officer’s father said the family forgives Holt, WWL-TV reports (https://bit.ly/2kvAUII).
“Bitterness doesn’t exist in our hearts,” said Randy Louviere.
Louviere had been a member of the police department for a little over a year, but he graduated at the top of his class and was seen as someone who would help anyone.
“He was a hero. He was my hero,” said Barry Blanchard, Louviere’s brother and a New Orleans police officer.
Married and the father of two children, Louviere served in the U.S. Marines, doing a tour in Afghanistan.
Hundreds of law enforcement from Louisiana and other states joined the funeral and the following procession to the cemetery.
“He did what we all would have done,” said St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre of Louviere’s selfless actions. “He saw an accident and responded. I know he never thought it would cost him his life. It’s just a shame that a guy like this, who served his country overseas, comes home and gets killed on American soil.”
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