Stanley James Leger Sr., an 80-year-old Caucasian male from Beaumont, Texas, passed away on June 24, 2014, at Christus Hospital-St Elizabeth in Beaumont. He was born on March 11, 1934, in Lyons Point, Louisiana, to Ida Hebert Leger and Avelia Leger. Stanley was a longtime local taxidermist and outdoorsman, known for his contributions to youth baseball, Ducks Unlimited, and local bass clubs.
He was also an avid birder in his later years.
Stanley's death was the result of a shooting incident involving Beaumont police officers. On the night of June 24, 2014, Stanley was involved in an altercation with tenants at his rental property on East Lucas Drive. The tenants had allegedly destroyed his property, and Stanley attempted to evict them. During the altercation, Stanley fired a rifle shot into the air to scare off the tenants. The tenants threatened him, and in response, Stanley pointed his rifle at the officers when they arrived on the scene. The officers, fearing for their safety, fired at Stanley, hitting him and causing injuries that led to his death in surgery at the hospital.
Following Stanley's death, his family filed a lawsuit against the Beaumont Police Department, naming the officers involved in the shooting and other city officials. The lawsuit alleged wrongful death and sought damages for the loss of Stanley. The case brought attention to the use of force by police officers and raised questions about the circumstances leading to Stanley's death.
Stanley is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Flora Leger, his sons Jim and Mark Leger, his daughter Denise Mackan, nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and his sister Gertrude Thibodeaux. His memorial service was held on June 28, 2014, at Broussard's Mortuary in Beaumont, followed by a private burial in Louisiana.
Stanley James Leger Sr.'s death remains a poignant reminder of the complexities and tragedies that can arise from confrontations between law enforcement and citizens.
