Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was the 16 year old kid placing items for sale in front of Roses Dept. Store when I saw Sgt. Alfred arrive and get out a clip board as he looked at Chandler's Jewelry. I returned with more stock to see a woman covered in blood begging for my help. I went in and told my boss, Mr. Osgood, to call emergency. He did not want me to go out again for my safety but when I saw her climb into the policeman's car to drive herself to the hospital, I asked that I be punched off the clock and quit so as not to involve my employer. I got what I feared would be her dying declaration about a man who stabbed her. I then saw a man run from the alley to the A&P grocery on the other side of Roses. Men came out and said a trucker saw a cop down in the alley. I went back with them and saw Sgt. Alfred dead as a policeman in a wagon arrived. He said he could not leave the scene so I got an A&P manager to help me take a gurney from the police wagon to the front to aid the bleeding woman. Finally an ambulance arrived with more police and I went back to work in the Roses stock room trying to keep busy as I doubled over in pain from the flashbacks every 15 minutes. Slidell detectives tracked me down at work hours later but I was so sorry that I did not hear anything from the stock room and only saw what I described above. I was told details of the crime. When I returned to work some days later I was told the murderer escaped custody. He had hidden out in my town of Pearlington until a relative convinced him to surrender.

My grandfather was shot to death in a fight over a personal matter with an off-duty deputy in Bear Town McComb, MS when my dad was 12 and dad was taken to the morgue to i.d. his father. I know how horrible violence affects survivors and I wish Sgt. Alfred's family peace and pride in knowing that even in my brief seeing him as the last person other than his murderer to see him alive, he was obviously a man of poise, dignity, and professionalism. Peace.

civilian humanist
Last person, other than the perp. to see this beautiful man alive

May 10, 2024

Rest In Peace

Nick mottola
None

August 13, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your memory, service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 13, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

April 17, 2019

I was very young when this happened but this was my first cousin according to my grandmother and mother. they all say he was an incredible person in the community. Thank -you for honoring him and Im sure his family will appreciate this.

Dwayne Jones E- 3United States Air Force
First Cousin

August 14, 2018

His life and legacy was a big influence in me making my career choices

Ferlin Andre Smith CBP K-9 handler !!
CBP he was my cousin :)

August 14, 2018

Sgt. Alfred, thank you for your service to law enforcement. I hope I can find your family to let them know we are honoring you.

SA Ellen Pierson
DHS-ICE-HSI

December 11, 2017

Many thanks for your service in our police force. I hope that my letter to the parole board made a difference at the hearing. RIP and my condolences to your family.

John Haseltine - Civilian

March 18, 2016

Proud to send my No Parole letter today. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice has not been forgotten. God bless the family, friends, and former co-workers of Sergeant Alfred as the never healing wound is yet again reopened.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Matt 5:9

Sr. Ptlmn Donnie Meaders(RET)
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

February 17, 2016

My letter went out today. Thank you for your service.

Barbie Langham-Diamond
Daughter of fallen Officer Billy M Langham

February 10, 2016

RIP OFFICER JONES. Gone but not forgotten from your family in blue un Maryland. Thank you for your service.

Fallen hero Denise DePasquale
BPD

February 3, 2016

As a kid I remember Sgt. Earl Alfred with warm regard. It hurt a lot of kids when we learned of his death. I remember seeing him at school crossings. He always had a smile. Kids could talk to him.

DFC Eric O. Jones Sr.
St. Tammany Sheriff's Office

January 22, 2016

40 YRS. AGO..I WAS A DIVISION COMMANDER, RANK OF CAPTAIN, IN CHARGE OF 45 YOUNG MEN WITH THE JR. RESERVE DEPUTY SHERIFF'S. I WAS 18 YEARS OLD. I WAS ON DUTY THAT DAY OF AUGUST 13, 1975. I HAD THE PLEASURE AND HONOR OF MEETING SGT. ALFRED ON SEVERAL TIMES OVER A FEW YEARS. I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE WORKED WITH HIM ON A FEW MARDI-GRAS, FESTIVALS, ETC. HE WAS A GREAT MAN. HOWEVER, TO THIS DAY, I AM ASHAMED WITH MYSELF. YOU SEE, I WAS RAISED IN AN ALL WHITE SCHOOL. I COULD GO ON ABOUT MY UPBRINGING, BUT THE FACT IS...I WAS A RACIST. BLACK PEOPLE WERE NOT ON MY RADAR. THEREFORE, I, A DIVISION COMMANDER, I DID NOT ORDER OR EVEN MENTION AN HONOR GUARD, OR EVEN ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF THIS FALLEN POLICE OFFICER. THE YOUNG MEN UNDER MY COMMAND RESPECTED ME. THEY WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED MEN THRU THE GATES OF HELL. BUT, I DID NOTHING. I WAS WRONG. I SHOWED TOTAL DISRESPECT TO NOT ONLY SGT. ALFRED, BUT TO EVERYONE WHO CARRIED A BADGE. 2 YRS. LATER, IT HIT ME. I MARRIED A GREAT WOMEN WHO SHOWED ME THE WAY. NOT A YEAR HAS GONE BY SINCE 1977 THAT I HAVE SALUTED SGT. ALFRED, AND ASKED FOR HIS FORGIVENESS. I HAVE CARRIED THE SHAME OF MY ACTIONS FOR 38 YRS. I HOPE THAT ONE DAY, I CAN MEET HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN TO SALUTE THEM AND APOLIGIZE. THANK YOU SGT. ALFRED FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE.

CAPTAIN C. STEVE KELLAR
ST. TAMMANY PARISH SHERIFF'S DEPT

August 11, 2015

I grew up in Slidell. I was 4 years old when Sgt. Alfred was killed, but I do remember it happening. I remember that I was a little scared to go to that shopping center for a while because I knew that something terrible had happened there. I'm a little ashamed that, until today, reading these remembrances, I never knew the details of what happened. It's obvious that Sgt. Alfred was a great guy; almost 40 years later and people are still remembering him fondly. I wish I could have known him.
Godspeed Sarge...

Lt. Farrell Latour

Lieutenant Farrell Latour, U0258
Louisiana State University Police Dept.

September 29, 2014

i used to work with earl at michoud boeing in the 60s ---i still remember him ----this is before he was in law enforcement

kermit gagne
retired

April 12, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace of all that called you beloved for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

February 19, 2013

I am Sgt Alfreds daughter, Felicia.
I thank you , for sharing this..

thank you..

daughter
daughter

May 20, 2012

I did not know Sgt. Alfred, but as the last person other than his murderer to see him alive, I've kept him and his family in my memory all these years. I was a working a summer job at Roses Dept. Store next door and placing stock onto the breezeway outside the store before its openning that morning. On one trip outside I saw Sgt. Alfred pull up to the curb nearby and next door (Chandler's Jewelry) and get out of the cruiser, the next trip out his car was still idling, but noone was around. Next, I saw a man run from the ally past our windows and to the A&P. I went out to see a woman covered in blood begging for help. I came back inside and told Roses Mgr., Mr. Osgood, and he called the police but would not let me go back out because of liability. When I saw the woman climb up into the car to driver herself to the hospital, I said, "Punch my card out as I quit" to relieve the store of liability. I calmed the woman as best I could and asked for what I thought would be a dying declaration of who did it. Then the mgrs from A&P came running saying the man we saw was a trucker who turned the corner in the alley behind to stores and saw an officer down. We all went back there to see Sgt. Alfred lying peacefully on his back on the pavement when a police station wagon came and its driver/officer was obviously shaken as this was the first instance in Slidell of a policeman killed in the line of duty, I think. He had a gurney but would not "leave the scene" and I insisted that there was nothing more we could do here but that there was a woman bleeding to death out front. An A&P mgr and I rolled the gurney to the woman and again tried to calm her all the while I'm curing under my breath myself for not having driven her the several blocks to the hospital in the police car as it took so long for the ambulance to arrive. I heard that the woman had 22 punctures from open scissors from a customer-turned-robber when she opened early for him. Sgt. Alfred was responding to a silent alarm (which explains why there was no backup or urgency as these things go off each time a store is openned that time of morning and it is up to the mgr to call it in as a normal openning). When the murderer left the store out the back, (according to his testimony relayed to me) Sgt. Alfred saw him from the front and ran back to nab him. I was making trips to the stock room so I did not see this. Apparently the murderer had a .22 pistol for the robbery but decided to stab the woman w/ scissors on the counter instead (some talk of his being hopped up on drugs). Sgt. Alfred did not know of the stabbing inside and may have known the murderer as the latter asked that he be cuffed from the front as he was being arrested for coming out of the back door w/ goods from the store not yet open for business. Sgt. Alfred said no and returned him to face the wall w/ hands on it. Sgt. Alfred had taken the .22 pistol and placed it in his belt and when the murderer heard the click of the handcuffs being undone off Sgt. Alfreds belt, he thought it was the click of a gun hammer and freaked out thinking he was going to be shot so he spun around, grabbed the .38 from Sgt. Alfred's holster and unloaded it striking the officer 3 times. Sgt. Alfred did everything he should have done under the circumstances known to him.
A ring was placed around Slidell but the murderer escaped to a family's house in Pearlington, MS (where I lived at the time) I'm told and his mother convinced him days later to turn himself in. The last I heard, the murderer had escaped from prison but was soon caught and returned.
As for the stabbed clerk at Chandler's, I heard she went into intensive care 3 times and that one puctured brushed her aorta and that if she had so much as coughed hard, could have died right there. I was 16, incredibly level-headed under the situation, but could not bring myself to inquire about this woman as I just could not face any more bad news on this incident. I hope she survived, of course, and has made as much peace with it as is possible.
Drugs, guns, and a moment's insanity yields lifetimes of suffering. I hope Sgt. Alfred's widow has had many years of joy and am elated to read that she has grandbabies.
Peace, Love
g

Anonymous

November 6, 2010

Sgt. Alfred,

Reading reflections left on your behalf, it is clear that you touched more lives than you possibly ever could have imagined. You truly are an inspiration to so many. The sacrifice you made for the people of Slidell so long ago will never be forgotten. Today, I honor you. Rest easy, brother.

Senior Ptlm J Anthony Sandoval
Kingsville Police Department

July 20, 2009

I miss you,you were like a big brother to me.you always looked out for me.I remember your laughter and good spirit.

rudy page
first cousin, little brother, and neighbor

September 25, 2008

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 1, 2007

My name is Tom Westfall and I was in Slidell a few years ago on a case and while waiting for my appointment with the Detective Div I noticed the memorial in the lobby of the PD. As I was standing there, in plain clothes, looking at the things commemorating SGT Alfred's service a clerk in the building came out to where I was standing and told me the history of the incident that took the SGT's life and told me that she had been working for city and knew him. I was impressed that she took the time to tell a stranger about SGT Alfred and the pride the people took in his service. I had been a police officer for about three years when he was killed but it was twenty years later that I was in Slidell. So he is remembered there. That made me feel proud. He must have been a great guy. God speed to you Sergeant Alfred.

SGT Tom Westfall
Marshall County Sheriff's Department

September 27, 2007

My name is Shirley. Sgt Earl Alfred had 5 brothers and sisters that lived in Calif. We share the same father, Earl Aldon Alfred who passed away at a young age of 33. We always knew we had a brother in Slidell. I had the opportunity to meet my brother in 1972. He was a proud brother, who introduced me to all of his friends and our other relatives. His wife Doris and his daughter Felicia were his pride and joy. I am glad I had a chance to know him. His kindness and gentle manner was loved by all. I will always cherish the memory of his smile and love. Always, Shirley Alfred Moore

Shirley Alfred Moore
sister

August 15, 2006

my name is Austin Trosclair - i am 10 years old. I neverr knew my grandfather- i see lots of pictures of him- my mom shows me them. everyday of my life i want to no- what he was like. but my mom Felicia misses him and my grandmother Doris Alfred- my grandparents on my mom side are both dead. i never met any of them. my prayers will always be with my grandpa earl and grandma Doris Alfred.. god bless them all.. amen---------- austin your grandson..

Austin Trosclair
grandson

August 14, 2006

I would like to thank everyone who remembered my daddy.. It means alot to me. Im so thankful for this page- In honor of my daddy.. I am 37 years old now, i was only 5 when he died. I still remember some things. I will always cherish the memories. I wonder what he would say, today.. To see so many officers and friends, remembering him.. I wish Mr. Lewis would of not shot him so many times, because he was a GOOD MAN and a Wonderful father.. Rest in peace daddy.. Always your rageddy Ann Felicia ... >} a nick name he called me .. Rageddy Ann..

Felicia Alfred
daughter

August 14, 2006