By Pat Culverhouse

Tribute was paid Thursday to more than 50 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies across northwest Louisiana who gave their lives in the line of duty.

“These are the people who run to the fear, not away from it,” said Shreveport Chief of Police Wayne Smith during remarks to a large gathering of officers, family and friends.

“They are the ones who stand between danger and the community. They paid the price. Their tour of duty may be over, but they will never be forgotten.”

Included among those honored were Webster Parish deputies William “Billy” Collins, Jr. and Trey Copeland. Both men died in the line of duty in 2021.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker made a special presentation of a single red rose to family members of Collins, who attended the Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony.

Collins was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 9, 2021, while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Greentree St. in Doyline.

Copeland suffered a fatal medical event following a high-speed vehicle pursuit along U.S. 371 in Webster Parish in August, 2021.

Thursday’s event honoring the 52 fallen officers was held at the Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial on the Shreveport riverfront off Clyde Fant Parkway.

Agencies honoring fallen officers during the ceremony included Bossier City PD, Bossier Parish SO, Caddo Parish SO, DeSoto Parish SO, Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana State Police—Troop G, Natchitoches Parish SO, Vivian PD, Webster Parish SO and Shreveport PD.

(Below: Sheriff Jason Parker (left), Chief Deputy Hank Haynes (right) and members of the Billy Collins family.)