To Honor a Hero: Community Remembers Rayville Officer

With tears and emotional goodbyes, over a thousand police officers and members of the Rayville community are saying goodbye to fallen K-9 Sgt. Tommy “T.A.” Alexander.

The sheriff of Richland Parish, who remembers the tragic night of Sgt. Tommy Alexander’s death, say his brave actions saved other deputies’ lives.

Officers from as far as Colorado and Chicago, were part of the procession that stretched out for several miles. With a silent salute and inspirational words from the Bible, men of God expressed grief over losing Sgt. Alexander in the line of duty.

“My brother was born a hero. He wasn’t a hero because he put on a uniform. He was a hero because he was Mary’s husband. He was my sister’s brother. And he was always my protector,” said Jimmie Alexander. “In my opinion, he was a giant. And you can’t kill giants.”

Three suspects are under arrest and will be charged in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year veteran Rayville police officer, who was killed in the line of duty Sept. 11, according to state police.

Officials say K-9 Sergeant Thomas Alexander, 57, was shot to death, protecting a woman who was caught in the middle of a home invasion burglary on Highway 80.

The three suspects, all charged with the first-degree murder and aggravated burglary, are identified as 52-year-old Robert Walker, 30-year-old Anthony Otis, and 33-year-old Richard Long.

Service defined the 57 years of Sgt. Alexander’s life, if you let his wife tell you about his story.

“He did what he liked doing. He knew what he was doing when he joined (law enforcement) in 1980. I’ve been by his side 100 percent,” said Mary Alexander.

Mary stood in front of a packed house, and told stories of her husband getting called out in the middle of the night to help someone. With tears, she remembered how he never failed to answer the calls.

“The town of Rayville, the whole United States, he touched their lives, I know they’ll miss him, as well as me.”

The family members of the fallen officer accepted gifts of service awards and cards, hand-delivered by his fellow officers at the Rayville Police Department.

“Physically he’s gone. But he’s not dead. I would never, ever allow my brother’s memory to die,” said Jimmie Alexander.