Officer Down: Beauregard Parish

by J. Shirlene Cooper
The Times of SWLA


A community mourns the loss of a neighbor, friend, protector, and hero.

Robert "Robbie" Eugene Bean
BPSO Detective
Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Robert “Robbie” Eugene Beane lost his life on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 5, as a result of a traffic accident, just south of Shreveport. He and three other BPSO officers were headed back to their hotel rooms, after a day of specialized S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons And Tactics) training, when an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer rig pulled out from a Relay Station, and directly into the path of the Chevrolet Suburban in which they were riding.

Beane was driving and, according to reports, foresaw the impending collision. He reportedly made a valiant effort to steer his vehicle in a direction which would take his passengers away from harm. However, the accident happened quickly; the Suburban impacted with the middle of the trailer, leaving the vehicle partially lodged beneath it.

Beane died at the scene.

His passengers, Det. Dale Sharp, Deputy Lance Grant, and Deputy Brian Leedom, all suffering serious to critical injuries, were transported to LSU Medical Center, in Shreveport.

Although the accident occurred in the afternoon, and almost 200 miles from the men’s homes, word spread quickly, sending shock and sorrow to families, friends, and co-workers back in Beauregard Parish. The 14-year veteran of the sheriff’s office was only 34. He was the first BPSO officer to be killed in the line of duty.

A day later, his body was escorted home by fellow officers from all branches of law enforcement. A group of policemen, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and others erected the United States flag over U.S. 171 and stood at attention as the line of vehicles crossed south into Beauregard Parish.

On Friday, May 8, Beane was laid to rest. Mourners overflowed the sanctuary and balcony of the First United Pentecostal Church. Every pew was filled, and law enforcement personnel from Louisiana and surrounding states stood side-by-side along the church walls. More than one row of pews was taken by members of the DeRidder Lions Club. In their yellow vests, these service club representatives were there for a final farewell to a fellow-member who was in line to be moved up to the position of club president. Many more from the community were left to pay their respects from the outer foyers and stairwells.

In the solemn gathering, soft music played and a slide-show gave a glimpse into the life of a Merryville neighbor, as well as a husband, father, son and community leader. Snapshot after snapshot showed a man smiling as he strummed a guitar; then laughing as he played with his daughter, Joslynn, or grinning as he hugged his wife, Nikki, and finally standing tall among his brothers in law enforcement.

And then Beauregard Parish Sheriff Ricky Moses stepped forward. “We’re here today to remember and honor one of our own, Detective Robbie Beane,” said Moses, who also took a moment to thank the community for an outpouring of love and support.

Turning to Beane’s wife, Moses said, “Nikki, thank you for sharing Robbie with us and allowing him to do the job that he loved.”

Sharing memories, Moses said that Beane “began his watch with BPSO on Aug. 16, 1995,” and realized quickly that law enforcement was his calling. He rose through the ranks to the position of detective, evidence custodian, dive team member, SRT member, LSA Task Force member and board member of the LTPOA (Louisiana Tactical Police Officers’ Association).

Beane also was remembered for his love of golf and for some of the antics he had displayed on the golf course. “No one could drive a golf ball like Robbie,” Moses offered. And about the detective’s sense of pride in appearance. “He always looked like he stepped out of a GQ magazine,” Moses said, adding, “He represented true character, honor, loyalty and leadership.”

With a break in his voice, Sheriff Moses concluded, “Robbie’s end of watch was May 5, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. His last act as a deputy sheriff will always be remembered as his most heroic. He made the ultimate sacrifice and saved the lives of other deputies in the vehicle. Robbie, your dedication, your service and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Officiating over the service was friend and pastor, the Rev. Kennis Smith of Christway Church, where Beane had served as member and worship leader. “You can’t do justice for the man in what you say. It seems like a bad dream,” he began.

Smith said that Beane had shared many thought and dreams with him, especially about his family – how he had met his wife at Lion’s Camp, and how his little girl was his “Sunshine.”
Beane was “a hometown hero, whose family and community can be proud of,” Smith continued. Describing the fallen deputy as one who “could turn a room from darkness to light,” Smith said his friend had lived a “God given dream,” and had found balance, walking with Christian values intact.

“Every day, when Robbie got up, he planted his seed of faith in Jesus,” Smith said, adding that all would miss Beane’s infectious laughter, his warm spirit, and his love of musical gifts.

Consoling, Smith finished with a prayer, telling family and friends, “He went with Jesus to paradise.”

Following the service, a sea of uniformed law enforcement filed out of the church and onto the lawns, mingling with citizens and gathering along the sidewalks. A number of BPSO officers stood quietly with Sheriff Moses, as fellow S.W.A.T. team members serving as pall bearers, carefully transported a flag-draped casket to a waiting hearse.

A motorcade of motorcycles and decaled units from local and State Police and Sheriff’s departments led those hundreds paying their respects, in a single-file procession, away from the church. Again a flag was draped over the route, and community members who had not been able to attend the service lined the sidewalks, giving pause and joining emergency responders and firefighters as they saluted.

The procession turned off the U.S. 190 highway, and traveled a short distance to Old Cypress Cemetery, a quiet and final resting place for Beauregard Parish’s young hero.

The Three R's

By: J. Shirlene Cooper



While area students get ready to close the books on another school year, DeRidder and the community of Rosepine were mastering three R’s of another variety. In this case, roses, radio, and running were on the minds of those taking part in annual spring time events the last weekend in April.

Roses face paint:
Four-year-old Ethan Parker Johnson, of Rosepine tries to sit still as Dolly Weldon of Bundick Lake puts the finishing touches on his Spider-Man look. The face-painting booth was just one of the many children’s activities offered at the 2009 Roses In The Pines Festival.

Blue skies and sunshine greeted this year’s Roses in the Pines Festival on April 24 and 25, in Rosepine. A welcome change after last year’s cold and rain, the fair weather drew crowds to the center of town for two days of shopping, good eating, games, and entertainment.

A Rosepine Historical Society fundraiser, the family-oriented festival provided an outlet for fun and fellowship to the residents of Rosepine, DeRidder, Leesville, and points beyond. Colorful tents and booths lined the grassy area on which the festival was laid out, and each offered an assortment of plants, crafts, handmade clothing, jewelry, tools and other items.

From Anacoco, Randy Browning manned a covered booth filled with handcrafted wooden treasures – everything from birdhouses and porch swings to polished, multi-colored wall decorations, jewelry boxes, and fruit bowls. Having started with a scroll saw and a few pieces of wood, Browning truly has carried cutting, sawing, sanding, and staining to a whole new level.

Strolling among the booths in the open air always stirs up an appetite; therefore, a large selection of menu items was offered to quell the hunger pangs. Those with a taste for Louisiana flavor were drawn by an aromatic mix of barbecue, peppers, and “Tony’s” wafting across the festival grounds. With tongs in hand, Vernon Parish Police Juror Leonard Johnson served as grill master, dishing up barbecue chicken to hungry shoppers. Along with helper, Rodney Burgess, Johnson invited festival goers to eat at the nearby picnic tables, and listen to the entertainment of the hour.

Entertaining for the crowds on Friday afternoon were the “All Stars,” presenting a large selection of music, including Gospel, country, bluegrass, oldies and just a little bit of rock and roll. While most of the band members share the microphone on vocals, they welcomed gospel singer Hunter Johnson (Leonard Johnson’s son) to join in during several sets. The band members are: Carl Martinez on keyboard, Bobby Burks on the electric guitar, Kenneth Midkiff on the lead guitar, and Mickey Whitaker on the steel guitar.

The bands played on through the weekend, and throughout the successful event, leaving Historical Society members looking forward to next year’s festival.

Radio diners:
Julie Galley, of DeQuincy (from left), joins DeRidder residents Sandra Wertz and Johnnie Wooten for dinner and an evening at the theatre. The three were among a packed house at the most recent Impromptu Players production, “Radio T.B.S.”

Friday night, in DeRidder, the Wooten Theatre was packed for dinner and The Impromptu Player’s spring production, “Radio T.B.S, Trailer Park Broadcasting Scandals.”

Theatre goers have come to expect great offerings on the menu at dinner performances and they were not to be disappointed. Chicken tetrazzini was the main course, with generous slices of spice cake for desert. On this night, iced tea, water glasses, and coffee cups, were kept full by the volunteer wait staff, high school student representatives from the Burkesville, Texas Student Council Association. Dinner plates and drinks on the following week were to be served by members of DeRidder’s own Dance Stop Dance Centre, including the Dixie Darlin’s.

Radio T.B.S., a comedy written by Arkansas actor-playwright Mark Landon Smith, treated the audience to non-stop laughter. From the moment the lights dimmed, the all female cast, including Jodie Chavez, Molly Markwick, Judith Neely, Rebecca Bush, and Nancy Legendre and others fell into character. Most could identify with their characters including Vesta Poteet and Dixie Mandrell, the radio reporting duo, who offered up daily gossip from a Florida trailer park, the Luna Del Mar Manufactured Home Oasis and Monkey Emporium.

Bringing the presentation close to the hearts of many, there was an on-the-air visit to Graceland from roving reporter Missy Goode, who provided a remote by cell phone from the King’s jungle room and estate gardens.

The presentation even featured a “play within a play” of sorts as park residents took part in their ever anticipated and highly acclaimed live nativity, “Jesus and Elvis: A Tribute to the Kings.”

In short time, the audience was on its feet and players took to the stage for a final bow. And the applause left no doubt – theatre patrons definitely would be back for more next season.

5K winner Nathan Stahl
Out in front of the other runners, Fort Polk soldier Nathan Stahl easily clears the finish line, earning the first place trophy in the Beauregard Chamber’s 5K run.

Saturday morning early was the timing for what has become another annual event set in the downtown streets of DeRidder, the chamber’s 5K Run/1 Mile Walk.

Each year, this event - which is hosted by the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by local businesses – has grown by leaps and bounds. Participants from all parts of Beauregard Parish join those registering from Fort Polk, Leesville and other surrounding communities. So many are taking part, each year, that chamber board members and event coordinators, Walter Smith and Kelli Brocks decided to just go ahead and rename the event, “Community Shuffle.”

The area in front of the Flag Plaza, on Washington Street, was busy long before the registration began at 7:30 a.m. Sporting new event tee-shirts, gung-ho competitors ran in place, or performed knee bends and leg stretches, while family members and other spectators found places along the street for folding chairs or blankets. Bits and pieces of conversation drifted through the crowd as the start/finish line and timers were put into place.

“Is this your first 5K?”

“What do you do to warm up?”

“I’m ready to go!”

Under threatening skies, Smith offered a few words of welcome, joking that the race and walking routes were “downhill both ways.” He also introduced John Marcello, who would be serving as starter for the race. It was Marcello, Smith said, who had coordinated the first run about 20 years ago, and it was that run, Smith said, that the current Community Shuffle was modeled after.

At the starting line, Marcello pointed out the overcast skies. “If it should start to rain when you get to West Park,” he offered, “you’re going to get wet on the way back.”

“Ready, set, go!”

The mass of tennis shoe clad feet were off and running.

Participants in the walking event followed. While the runners’ route took them northward on Washington Street, and then up Pine Street to West Park and back, the walkers trekked a half-mile to the corner of Pine and Bilbo, before turning back toward downtown.

In short time, the first of the runners was back. Nathan Stahl, a Fort Polk soldier, from Pennsylvania made the task look easy as he rounded the corner, almost a block ahead of the next competitor. Breezing through the gate, he was met by volunteers who marked his time and offered congratulations.

One by one, or in small groups, participants made it back.

Trophies and other awards were presented.

“Yes, this was a great turn-out,” concluded Chamber executive vice president Avon Knowlton. “It gets bigger and better every year. Our sponsors and our community make it happen,” she said.

Soon the streets were empty again; the banners and barriers removed.

Then it did rain—Oh, there’s another R!—but by that time, it was okay.