Off Duty Deputy Killed in Crash
Press Release – Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announced, with great sympathy, the death of Deputy Sheriff Tony D. Verheyden, who was fatally injured in a crash while off duty just after 8:30 pm last night.
The crash occurred near the intersection of Nation Road and LA Highway 115. According to RPSO, Deputy Verheyden , 32, served with the Sheriff’s Office since January 2013, first as a part time Communications Officer and then starting in February 2014, as a full time Corrections Officer. He had previously served as a Reserve Deputy from May of 2006 until June of 2010.
Deputy Verheyden was currently assigned to the Corrections Division working at Detention Center 1 and also served on the Corrections Emergency Response Team.
Sheriff Hilton asks that the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office family as well as the Rapides Parish community “please remember Tony’s family and friends during this very difficult time. No logical understanding can ever be made of a tragedy like this. This young man was following in his father’s footsteps of becoming a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, a career he always held in such high regard. No words can take away the pain or make it easier on anyone involved; only through faith and prayers and I humbly ask for prayers for the Verheyden Family and the RPSO Family at this difficult time” said Sheriff Hilton.
Tonys father is Lt. Troy Verheyden, Enforcement Division Shift Supervisor.
According to M/T Scott Moreau, Louisiana State Police Troop-E, Troopers responded to the crash around 8:50 p.m., which occurred on LA Hwy 115 at LA Hwy 1206. The crash involved a 2015 Dodge Challenger, driven by a juvenile of Deville and a 1996 Nissan pickup, driven by Tony D. Verheyden, 32.
The Dodge was westbound on LA Hwy 1206 when the juvenile failed to stop at the stop sign. This action resulted in the Nissan, which was southbound on LA Hwy 115, colliding with the Dodge. After this initial collision, the Dodge exited the roadway and collided with a house.
The juvenile driver was wearing his seat belt and received moderate injuries. He was transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center. His only passenger, identified as a juvenile of Deville, was not wearing her seat belt and received moderate injuries. She was transported to Cabrini Hospital for treatment.
Verheyden was pronounced dead.
Deputy Verheyden leaves behind a wife Patti, and a daughter Harlee and son Tristin.
Arrangements are pending at the time of this release.