Jimmy Allen Bertrand, a 52-year-old man from Beaumont, Texas, tragically died on April 26, 2016. He was born on February 16, 1964, in Basile, Louisiana, and worked as a fire extinguisher technician for Coastal Sprinkler Company. Jimmy is survived by his wife, Nicola McGuire Bertrand, and their three children: David, Timothy, and Kandess Bertrand, as well as his grandchild, Abigale Bertrand.
Jimmy's death was the result of a shooting incident during a botched burglary attempt at his home
in Beaumont. The suspect, 18-year-old Tyrece D'Andre Harris, was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The trial revealed that Harris had been involved in a series of robberies in the area, including one just two days before the murder. Witnesses identified Harris as the perpetrator, and the same silver gun used in the robberies was found to be the murder weapon.
The sentencing phase of the trial included emotional testimonies from Jimmy's family members, including his widow, Nicola Bertrand, who spoke about the impact of her husband's death on their young children. The jury took only two hours to convict Harris, and the judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole in July 2017. Harris's appeal was later denied by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Jimmy Allen Bertrand's death left a significant void in the lives of his family and friends, who continue to remember him fondly as a happy and giving person. His legacy lives on through the memories of those who knew him and the justice served in his case.
