In the summer of 2020, the life of Allen Darrel Halford, a 60-year-old White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. On June 13, 2020, Halford was discovered deceased inside his white 2006 Dodge pickup truck, which was located in a ditch in the 200 block of Greenville Drive in Clarence. The Natchitoches Parish Coroner's office was called to the scene and officially pronounced him dead.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Halford's death
quickly revealed that his demise was not accidental. Law enforcement determined that he was the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred during an attempted robbery. In the wake of this violent act, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office launched a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice. An autopsy was subsequently performed at Ochsner's LSU Health to determine the precise cause of his death.
The diligent work of detectives led to a significant development in the case. A suspect, identified as A.L. Simmons, was apprehended and taken into custody. Following his arrest, Simmons was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Allen Darrel Halford's death. He was then transferred to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center for questioning by investigators. The case against Simmons was built upon evidence collected by the Sheriff's Office, who worked in close collaboration with the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney's Office to ensure a strong prosecution.
Allen Darrell Halford, born on December 17, 1959, in Natchez, Mississippi, was remembered by his family as a kind-hearted individual who was always concerned for the well-being of others, even while facing his own medical challenges with cancer. He had a career in the millwright industry until his health prevented him from working. He was a father to a son and two daughters and a grandfather to seven grandchildren. His family expressed their gratitude to the detectives involved in the investigation into his tragic and untimely death.
