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Published on KPLC - January 16, 2010
LAKE CHARLES, LA – The funeral service for a Louisiana State Trooper, who died as a result of a traffic accident, was held Saturday at Trinity Baptist Church.
Trooper Duane Dalton died Tuesday after his state police vehicle was broadsided by another vehicle that failed to yield at a stop sign on Highway 171 near Moss Bluff in Calcasieu Parish, according to authorities.
Dalton became the 25th Louisiana State Police officer to die in the line of duty in the department's history.
Dalton was a member of Louisiana State Police Troop D.
Law enforcement officers from near and far came to pay their respects to Dalton at his funeral on Saturday. Some officers came from as far as New York and California.
Dalton's fellow officers say they will never forget him. They say they will remember Dalton as a true professional, who was admired and respected by his peers.
"The support we have received from throughout the country is a testament to the great human spirit," said Louisiana State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson. "This badge that we wear is a privilege given to us by the citizens of this great state, and Trooper Dalton wore it with distinction. He was truly a professional, he took great pride in his abilities, and he carried out his duties without fail. He was a dedicated public servant, but he was a devoted husband and father first."
After serving in the U.S. Army, Dalton began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Lake Charles Police Department. He became a Louisiana State Trooper on December 3, 1995.
Dalton leaves behind a wife and three sons.
An account has been set up for an education fund for Trooper Dalton's children. You can stop by any Chase bank and make a contribution.
Published on Action News 17 - January 16, 2010
LAKE CHARLES – Louisiana State Troopers said goodbye to one of their own in an emotional ceremony in Lake Charles today.
Trooper Duane Dalton was laid to rest at Consolata Cemetery following funeral services at Trinity Baptist Church this afternoon. Police agencies from across the state and the country, from agencies as far away as California and New York, were in attendance to honor a fellow law enforcement officer and his family.
Off-duty Louisiana State Troopers and Department of Public Safety Officers arrived throughout the past two days from every corner of the state to honor the life and service of the one of their own. There were over eighty (80) motorcycle units from State Police Troops, Sheriff’s Offices, and City Police Departments across the state.
Louisiana State Police Superintendent, Colonel Mike Edmonson, who was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the law enforcement community, said, “While this has been one of the hardest, most heart-wrenching times in my two years as Superintendent of State Police, I take great comfort in the brotherhood and support we are able to show to Trooper Dalton’s family. The support we have received from throughout the country is a testament to the great human spirit.” Colonel Edmonson added, “This badge that we wear is a privilege given to us by the citizens of this great state, and Trooper Dalton wore it with distinction. He was truly a professional, he took great pride in his abilities, and he carried out his duties without fail. He was a dedicated public servant, but he was a devoted husband and father first.”
Trooper Dalton spent his entire adult life in service to the citizens of our state and country. After serving honorably in the United States Army, Trooper Dalton began his law enforcement career as a police officer with Lake Charles Police Department before becoming a Louisiana State Trooper on December 3, 1995. Trooper Dalton was well respected and well liked by his peers, both inside the Louisiana State Police and out. The high regard in which he was held was evident by the large number of fellow officers in attendance at the funeral.
Trooper Dalton is survived by his wife and three sons and leaves behind a large extended family. He is the 25th trooper to be killed in the line of duty in the history of the Louisiana State Police. The last trooper killed in the line of duty was Trooper Hung N. Le of Troop B on June 30, 1998.
Published in the Baton Rouge Today - January 14, 2010
Funeral arrangements for Louisiana State Trooper Duane Dalton, who was recently killed in an automobile accident, are as follows:
The visitation is at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, LA from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm on Friday January 15, 2010. The procession will be moved to Trinity Baptist Church, 1800 Country Club Rd. Lake Charles, LA at 9:00 am Saturday January 16, 2010 where visitation will begin at 10:00 am.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Saturday at Trinity Baptist Church. Burial will be at Consolata Cemetery 2300 Country Club Rd. Lake Charles, LA.
State Police request that any media planning on attending any of the services contact Trooper Stephen Hammons at 337-280-7248 on Friday January 15, 2010.
State Police request that any Law Enforcement Agencies planning on attending the services on Saturday arrive at 1800 Country Club Rd Lake Charles, LA at 10:00 am. The point of contact will be Trooper Kevin Miller at 337-491-2519 or via e-mail Kevin.miller@dps.la.gov.
Trooper Duane Dalton Children’s Education Fund
Louisiana Trooper Charities, the charitable arm of the Louisiana State Troopers Association, has established the Trooper Duane Dalton Children’s Education Fund to benefit the three sons of the fallen trooper. Anyone wishing to make a contribution may do so at any Chase Bank.
Louisiana Trooper Charities
Trooper Duane Dalton Children’s Education Fund
Account Number 857998694
Louisiana Trooper Charities is recognized by the IRS as a 501-C-3 charity and contributions to this fund are fully tax deductable.
Published on KPLC - January 14, 2010
LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - Devastated is the only word to describe Louisiana State Police Troop D. Mourning the loss of Senior Trooper Duane Dalton, the flags hung at half staff. Dalton was on routine patrol Tuesday night around 7:30 heading south on Highway 171 in Moss Bluff when he was broadsided on his passenger side.
"A vehicle failed to yield to a stop sign at Gloria Lane, pulled out into his lane of traffic and struck his vehicle causing him to lose control and run off the road," said Captain Mike Leonards, Commander of Louisiana State Police Troop D.
39-year-old Dalton was airlifted to Memorial hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the SUV, 50-year-old Debra Bourque of Lake Charles, was uninjured. A blood test indicated she had not had alcohol prior to the accident, but further toxicology tests are still pending as are charges as the accident remains under investigation.
Dalton's death marks the 25th for Louisiana State Police officer killed in the line of duty and the second for Troop D.
"It's devastating. It's one of the hardest things to lose somebody that not only that you work with but you have been a good friend with for and have known for years," said Captain Leonards.
A native of Virginia, Dalton made his way down to the Bayou State by way of the U.S. Army. Stationed at Fort Polk, he was a decorated veteran by the time he got out in 1992. But Dalton wouldn't go far, beginning his career in law enforcement as a patrolman with Lake Charles Police from 1993 - 1995. He then made a transfer to State Police Troop D in the patrol division.
"He was very good at what he did," said Captain Leonards, "A true professional."
Dalton would also see success during his five year stint while working in the State Police's Gaming Division, but came back to his first passion a little over a year ago.
"He missed the road, like most of us do... It gets in your blood and he just wanted to come back and be a road trooper and work his way up... Like we all want to do," explained Leonards.
And he was on his way. In 1999 he was named Troop D's Trooper of the year. Well respected, some 200 officers showed up at the hospital, including State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson who flew in late Tuesday night to support Dalton's wife and three sons.
"To watch here holding his hand to see those three boys to know that his oldest boy had just gotten his driver's license. He got to be there with him to talk to the 18 year old, the loss of losing a father. Talking with the other two boys. It was just very difficult time watching them and a mother and wife lose her husband," said Colonel Edmonson.
In the quiet of the night, all area agencies come together to escort their brother of the badge.
"No matter how many times you see this or how many times you are involved with it... It's impressive, it's really an impressive thing because all of us really work together so much," said Zeb Johnson, with the Calcasieu Coroner's Office.
It's a show of unity that will likely continue in the coming days as they say their final goodbyes and lay Trooper Dalton to rest.
His family including his parents will make the trip from Virginia some time Thursday for funeral services, which have been finalized by Johnson Funeral Home on Lake Street.
Visitation is scheduled for Friday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and will resume on Saturday at 10 a.m. until the funeral at 2 p.m. The funeral will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, followed by burial at Consolata Cemetery.
An account has been set up for an education fund for Trooper Dalton's children. You can stop by any Chase bank and make a contribution.
Published onKPLC - January 13, 2010
State Police are mourning the loss of one of their own after a crash on Highway 171 near Moss Bluff.
State Police overnight released the trooper's name. He's 39-year-old Duane Dalton. He'd been with State Police since 1995.
At the time of the crash he was working as a patrol trooper.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, State Police say Dalton was heading south on HWY 171, when his unit was hit by a vehicle driven by 50-year-old Debra Bourque.
She was eastbound on Gloria Lane, when troopers say she proceeded into Trooper Dalton's path. The impact forced his unit into a ditch, where it hit a culvert.
Dalton was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, and Bourque walked away unhurt.
Troopers say both drivers were wearing their seatbelts, and that a blood test confirmed Bourque did not have anything to drink.
The results of further toxicology tests are pending and so are charges, as the investigation continues.
In the history of the Louisiana State Police, Dalton is the 25th trooper to be killed in the line of duty.
He is survived by a wife and three sons.
Louisiana Trooper Charities, the charitable arm of the Louisiana State Troopers Association, has established the Trooper Duane Dalton Children's Education Fund to benefit the three sons of the fallen trooper. Anyone wishing to make a contribution may do so at any Chase Bank.
Louisiana Trooper Charities
Trooper Duane Dalton Children's Education Fund
Account Number 857998694
Louisiana Trooper Charities is recognized by the IRS as a 501-C-3 charity and contributions to this fund are fully tax deductable.
Published in the Baton Rouge Today - January 13, 2010
Last evening a Louisiana State Trooper assigned to Troop D in Lake Charles was killed in a two vehicle crash. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of Louisiana State Trooper Duane Dalton,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent and Deputy Secretary-Department of Public Safety. “The entire DPS family mourns the loss of Senior Trooper Dalton but we shall never forget his service to the citizens of Louisiana.”
On January 12, 2010, at approximately 7:30 pm, Trooper Dalton (39y/o of Lake Charles) was driving his State Police unit, a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, south on US 171 approaching Gloria Lane near the community of Moss Bluff. Debra Bourque (50y/o of Lake Charles) was traveling east on Gloria Lane approaching US 171 in a 2007 Nissan Murano. Bourque entered US 171 into the path of Trooper Dalton’s vehicle. The front of Bourque’s vehicle struck the right side of Trooper Dalton’s unit. After impact, Trooper Dalton’s unit rotated clockwise, entered a ditch, and struck a culvert on the driver’s side.
Trooper Dalton was transported to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital by Acadian Ambulance Air Med. Trooper Dalton was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Bourque was not injured in the crash. Both Trooper Dalton and Bourque were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
A blood alcohol test indicated that Bourque had not consumed any alcohol prior to the crash. Further toxicology samples for Bourque are pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.
Charges are pending the outcome of the continuing investigation.
Trooper Dalton is survived by his wife and three sons. Trooper Dalton began his career with the Louisiana State Police on December 3, 1995. At the time of the crash, he was assigned as a patrol trooper at Troop D.
Trooper Dalton is the 25th trooper killed in the line of duty in the history of the Louisiana State Police. The last trooper killed in the line of duty was Trooper Hung N. Le of Troop B (Kenner) on June 30, 1998.
Published onWAFB - January 13, 2010
MOSS BLUFF, LA (WAFB) - Louisiana State Police reported one of its own was killed in a two-vehicle crash while on duty Tuesday night.
According to reports, Trooper Duane Dalton, 39, died when his unit was hit by an SUV on Highway 171 in Moss Bluff, which is near Lake Charles, around 7:30 p.m.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of Louisiana State Trooper Duane Dalton," said Colonel Mike Edmonson, superintendent of Louisiana State Police and deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety. "The entire DPS family mourns the loss of Senior Trooper Dalton but we shall never forget his service to the citizens of Louisiana."
Investigators said a Nissan Murano driven by Debra Bourque, 50, of Lake Charles turned onto the highway from a side road and the front of her SUV hit the right side of Dalton's police unit. The impact sent the trooper's car into a spin. It then slid into a ditch and slammed into a drainage pipe on the driver's side.
Dalton was taken to a Lake Charles hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Bourque was not injured in the crash. Charges are pending. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Dalton is survived by his wife and three sons. He became a trooper in 1995. At the time of the crash, he was assigned as a patrol trooper at Troop D.
Louisiana Trooper Charities, the charitable arm of the Louisiana State Troopers Association, has established the Trooper Duane Dalton Children's Education Fund to benefit the three sons of the fallen trooper. Anyone wishing to make a contribution may do so at any Chase Bank.
Dalton is the 25th trooper killed in the line of duty in the history of the Louisiana State Police. The last trooper killed in the line of duty was Trooper Hung N. Le of Troop B (Kenner) on June 30, 1998.
In Memory of Trooper Duane Dalton
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