Vermilion patrolman, officers deal with going back to work after losing fellow officer

Going back to work after one of your co-workers was killed is never an easy thing to do. Try going back to work if you are a patrolman or deputy after one of your officers has just been shot and killed hours earlier.
Vermilion Parish Sheriff employees, especially the deputies, are having to deal with the tragic death of deputy Allen Bares Jr. Bares was shot Monday at 4 p.m. on South Hospital Drive, south of Abbeville, and died at the hospital.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Vincent’s Funeral Home in Abbeville. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.
He will be buried with a U.S. Honor Flag. This flag has flown over ground zero in New York City and on a Space Shuttle Mission.
Law enforcements throughout the state are wearing a black band across their badge in honor of the death of Bares. The black stripe will be worn until Bares is buried.
Bares had been employed with the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.
Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon and Col. Kirt Frith, who runs the law enforcement center, both have witness the pain in their deputies and they continue to patrol the streets of Vermilion.
“The mood of the deputies seem to be one of feeling helpless as they await putting their fallen brother to rest,” said Couvillon.
Frith added, “At the same time they have to keep their guard up as they continue to protect and serve.”
Both men said they have not yet experienced the hardest part of their job. The day when they have to bury Bares is when they will be overcome with pain and grief.
“Putting their brother down as they call Allen’s shift to an end,” Frith added.
Couvillon said if any employees need counseling, the Sheriff’s Office has an Employee Assistance Program set up.
State Police say it started Monday afternoon, when Deputy Bares was mowing grass on his day off. He was shot after calling in suspicious activity to the sheriff’s office, and identifying himself as a deputy to the suspects. He later died at the hospital.
Floyd Boudreaux, a 76-year-old retired carpenter who raised cattle, was one of the first on scene after the shooting.
He was quoted in the Advocate Newspaper saying he heard three shots but did not think much of it because he hears gunshots all the time.
Boudreaux said he saw Allen lying on his back still alive and talking somewhat.
“Poor thing. (The suspects) wanted his truck I guess. And they shot him.”
Arrested and charged for the shooting are Baylon Taylor and Quityland Richard. Richard is said to be the alleged shooter.
Both suspects remain behind bars tonight. Richard has been moved to the Lafayette Parish jail and Taylor to the Acadia Parish jail.
District Attorney Mike Harson said he will seek the toughest sentence for both Taylor and Richard.
“We will initially seek the death penalty against both,” said Harson.