Gerald Edward Sargent - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 3/6/2012

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Gerald Edward Sargent - Madison Parish, Louisiana

From Tallulah Madison Journal May 30, 1952

Gerald Sargent Shot to Death In Tallulah Jail Early Thursday Morning

Slain While Attempting To Take Gun From Local Officer

Professional Fighter Booked For Peace Disturbance

Gerald Edward Sargent, 26-year-old Tallulah resident, was shot and killed by local police early Thursday morning when he attempted to take one of the officer's guns, after being taken to the Tallulah jail for disorderly conduct.

Chief Deputy Sheriff R. H. Holt said Sargent was shot twice by Officer Carl Griffin when Sargent lunged for the officer's gun. One bullet entered the left side under the heart, the other entered the center of his chest.

Deputy Holt reported that at approximately 1:40 Thursday morning, Officers Griffin and John Austin were summoned to the corner of East Askew and North Cedar Streets where Sargent and Glenn Revelle were engaged in a fight. Both men were placed in the police car and taken to the local jail, where Sargent stated he would die before being locked up.

The officers persuaded Sargent to enter the jail, where he telephoned his mother and told her he was in jail, and said to tell his wife and baby goodbye, as he would be dead within the next 10 minutes. In the meantime Glen Revelle was taken to a cell on the second floor of the jail.

Following his telephone conversation with his mother, Sargent was told by the officers to go into the cell on the bottom floor adjoining the jail lobby. The two officers grabbed him by the arms as they started for the cell and told him he would be released the following morning. As they were opposite the cell, Sargent stated he would die before being locked up, and struck Austin with his left arm, knocking him back down the hall, and struck Griffin on the chin, knocking him against the wall. He then lunged for Griffin's gun, and Griffin fired twice while the two were grappling for the gun. He was pronounced dead by a local physician a few minutes later.

Joe Schregleman, jailor, was standing nearby when the shooting occurred.

A native of Helena, Arkansas, Sargent moved to this community in 1928. He was employed by the Louisiana Highway Department, and was a professional boxer. A veteran of World War II, Sargent was a physical instructor in the Air Force during the war. He was also a member of the Tallulah Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held this afternoon (Friday), at 3 o'clock at the Baptist Church with the Rev. Shirley Briggs, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Young's Funeral Home in the Silver Cross cemetery.

Pallbearers are Willie Rabb, Louie Westmore, Herman Cassels, Coy Pilgreen, Guy Thompson and Ed Rhodes.

He is survived by his wife, nee Fern Smith, one son, Clayton Sargent, both of Tallulah; his mother, Linna Sargent, Tallulah; five brothers, Perry and Eugene, both of Tallulah; Arnold Sargent, St. Joseph, La.; Howard Sargent, Lafayette, La. ; and Vernon Sargent, U. S. Air Force.