In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 27, 1996, a violent struggle in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, claimed the life of 37-year-old White male, Deputy Sheriff Barton Joseph Granier. A five-year veteran of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office, Granier was killed while attempting to apprehend a robbery suspect.
The incident unfolded at approximately 2:00 a.m. following a brief chase. The suspect, in an attempt to evade capture, tried to scale a fence.
As Deputy Granier and another officer grabbed the man, a struggle ensued. During the altercation, the suspect managed to gain control of the other deputy's revolver. He then fired the weapon, striking both deputies.
Responding deputies at the scene subsequently shot and killed the suspect, who was later identified as Bertrand Blake. It was later reported that Blake had recently been released from prison due to overcrowding. Deputy Granier was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
