In the history of Baton Rouge law enforcement, the name J.B. Hare is remembered for a sudden and violent end to a long career. After 25 years of service with the Baton Rouge Police Department, Chief Hare was a veteran officer. His life was cut short on Thursday, November 16, 1911, in a confrontation with one of his own officers.
The incident began when an officer reported to duty while intoxicated. This breach of conduct led to the officer being suspended by his supervisor.
The suspended officer did not take the disciplinary action calmly, instead escalating the situation by threatening to shoot his supervisor. Chief Hare intervened in an attempt to de-escalate the volatile situation.
Tragically, Chief Hare's attempt to restore order resulted in him being fatally shot by the disgruntled officer. The weapon used was the officer's own handgun. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting of the chief, another officer on the scene shot and killed the perpetrator. Chief Hare was survived by his wife and three children.
