A Louisiana State Police trooper died Monday morning after he was shot in the head by a suspect Sunday afternoon.
Senior Trooper Steven J. Vincent responded to a call for an allegedly impaired driver in the Lake Charles area shortly before 3 p.m. when he was shot during an altercation with the suspect, according to officials.
The 11-year veteran of the agency was pronounced dead at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Monday morning.
"As an organization, we are heartbroken over this senseless and tragic death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his surviving wife Katherine and his son Ethan as well as his entire extended family," Colonel Michael D. Edmonson said in a statement. "This loss exacts an enormous emotional toll on the State Police family, but we will do what is necessary and proper to honor Steven and support those who knew and loved him."
The incident began after the trooper arrived at the scene of a Dodge pickup truck in a ditch near the intersection of Louisiana Highway 14 and Fruge Road in Calcasieu Parish.
Vincent verified the truck as matching the description of a previously reported reckless vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as 54-year-old Kevin Daigle.
During the interaction, officials said Daigle took out a shotgun and opened fire, striking the trooper in the head. As the gunman attempted to flee the scene, several passing motorists successfully detained him while others began to render aid to Vincent while calling for emergency assistance.
Law enforcement and first responders arrived and Daigle was placed into custody.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing and Daigle is expected to be booked on charges of Attempted First Degree Murder of a Police Officer in addition to several other related charges.
"Brave men and women like Steven put their lives in danger every day to protect our families, and we are extremely grateful to them for keeping us safe," Governor Bobby Jindal said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Steven's family and all of our law enforcement members as we mourn this tragic loss."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
