In the quiet community of Doyline, Louisiana, a decorated law enforcement officer's life was tragically cut short in the line of duty. William 'Billy' Earl Collins Jr., a 53-year-old male, who served as a Webster Parish Sheriff's Deputy and a Doyline Police Officer, was fatally shot on July 9, 2021. Collins, a veteran of the United States Air Force and Desert Storm, was known for his dedication to his community and his family.
He had served with the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office for nearly a decade and the Doyline Police Department for 13 years.
On that fateful evening, Collins was the first to respond to a disturbance call at a residence on Green Tree Road. Upon his arrival, along with two other deputies, a person inside the house opened fire. Collins was struck in the head by a bullet and was immediately airlifted to Ochsner LSU Health for medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to his injuries approximately two hours later.
Following the initial shooting, the suspect barricaded himself inside the home, leading to a standoff with law enforcement. After several hours, the suspect was taken into custody around 11:00 p.m. The individual had sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect later died from these injuries on July 17, 2021. In the wake of the tragedy, the community mourned the loss of a man described as a 'good husband, a good father, a good Webster Parish deputy, and a good patrol officer... that loved and served his citizens well.' His funeral was met with a massive outpouring of support, with a 'Sea of Blue' procession of law enforcement vehicles and community members lining the streets to pay their final respects.
