Shreveport Officer Thomas LaValley Murdered 6 Years Ago

We pause today to remember the life and service of Shreveport Police Officer Thomas LaValley. He was gunned down on Wednesday, August 5, 2015.

LaValley was responding to a home on Del Rio Street in the Queensborough neighborhood on a family disturbance call. Officer LaValley talked with some people outside the home and then he went inside, but just moments later, shots rang out. LaValley was able to call for help over his police radio. But he did not survive this brutal attack.

29-year-old LaValley dreamed of becoming a police officer. He previously worked as a cameraman in the news room at KTBS before making the leap to the police academy. Thomas wore badge number 1284 for SPD. That badge number has been retired. LaValley was also an organ donor and continued to help people in his death. Thomas was a big New Orleans Saints fan and even named his cat "Drew" because of Saints QB Drew Brees.

LaValley's best friend, Chris Redford tells KEEL News he misses LaValley "all the time." He says "to this day, every time somebody says or does something stupid, I have to fight the urge not to pick up the phone to call Thomas to tell him about it. I miss that kid so much, it hurts."

Grover Cannon killed LaValley. He is now serving life in prison at Angola State Penitentiary for this murder.