Deputy Sheriff Allen Morris Bares, Jr.

Allen Morris Bares, Jr.

Deputy Sheriff Allen Bares was shot and killed at approximately 4:00 p.m. while investigating two suspicious men while off duty.

Deputy Bares was cutting grass when he observed the men crash their car into a ditch on South Hospital Drive. He called the sheriff's office to report the incident and suspicious activity, then approached them and identified himself as a sheriff's deputy. As he did so one of the men drew a weapon and fatally shot him.

Responding deputies located Deputy Bares suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Abbeville General Hosptial, where he succumbed to his wounds.

After shooting Deputy Bares, the two subjects stole his truck and fled the area. The truck was later located in Abbeville, and both subjects were arrested several hours later. They were subsequently charged with first-degree murder, unauthorized use of an automobile, and for a burglary they had just committed on the same street. Both suspects were sentenced to life in prison -- the first in January 2016 and the second in January 2017.

Deputy Bares had served in law enforcement for 15 years. He had previously served with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife and two children.