Sergeant Merlin Brune was shot and killed while investigating a domestic disturbance near Westwego. As Sergeant Brune and several other officers were trying to talk the suspect into coming out of his house he opened fire through his front door killing Sergeant Brune. The suspect surrendered several minutes later.
The suspect was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Sergeant Brune was survived by his wife and two children.