Following the recent stabbing of Turkey Creek Chief of Police Robert Glenn Leggett, a special meeting was held to hire a part time officer to patrol the community.
The stabbing incident occurred Tuesday night when the Chief responded to a disturbance call.
The incident originally left Leggett in the Intensive Care Unit, but he now remains in stable condition.
During the council’s special meeting on Tuesday, Turkey Creek Mayor Heather Cloud stated that they would be going into an executive session “regarding the emergency situation that has resulted in a temporary loss of our sole law enforcement officer.”
The Mayor then continued, “During the executive session, there will be possible solutions discussed.”
When the council and mayor returned from executive session, Mayor Cloud shared that the chief of police was called during the executive session and that he “had given his blessing to hire an officer for the time he is out.”
The mayor went on to announce that upon recommendation by the mayor and approval from the council, the decision was made to hire Shawn Eckhart, who was formerly employed by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, to work for the village’s police department.
Eckhart then shared a few words.
“Thank you. I am happy to come to this community to help,” said Eckhart. “I can definitely help with the current situation with the chief, and I know that I will be able to work with him during this time.”
Prior to the meeting, Mayor Cloud took to social media where she gave an update on the Chief.
In a Facebook post, the Mayor said, “I am happy to report that our Chief is making good progress. He is stable although he will have recovery ahead of him.”
The Mayor’s post then went on to address the drug problem she says exists in the Village of Turkey Creek.
“Most of you know that I have been concerned for sometime about the amount of drug related activity that has been going on in our Village,” the post read. “I have been doing everything within my power to facilitate help for our village. I know that the Chief has as well.”
Mayor Cloud also stated in the post that “the accurate representation of my heart is that I am so proud of our Chief.”
In closing her statement out, the Mayor urged that the Chief “will have the justice he deserves.”
Zackery Shane Deville has been arrested in connection to this crime and has been charged with attempted first degree murder and criminal trespassing.
Deville is currently being held in the parish jail without bond until his bond hearing, which was set for Monday, April 2, 2018, at 1:00 p.m.
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ELIZABETH WEST