In the quiet parish of East Feliciana, Louisiana, a veteran law enforcement officer's life was cut short in a sudden act of violence. Sergeant Nolan Williamson Sr., a 61-year-old Caucasian male with over two decades of service, responded to what he believed was a routine two-car vehicle crash on March 16, 2000. Working in the parish jail, where firearms are not permitted, Sergeant Williamson was unarmed when he offered to accompany another deputy to the scene.
The situation that awaited them was far from a simple accident. A man, who had been stalking his ex-wife, had intentionally rammed her vehicle, causing the crash. As the deputies arrived, the suspect opened fire, striking Sergeant Williamson in the neck. The other deputy on the scene returned fire, wounding the assailant. Sergeant Williamson was rushed to a local hospital for his injuries. After fighting for his life for approximately one week, he succumbed to his wounds on March 24, 2000.
The shooter was taken into custody and subsequently faced the consequences of his actions. In September 2001, he was convicted of second-degree murder and received a life sentence in prison. His time behind bars was not long, however. On May 19, 2005, the man who had taken Sergeant Williamson's life ended his own by hanging himself in his cell.
