An off-duty Washington Parish sheriff’s lieutenant is out of a job after being linked to gunfire on Bud Slocum Road in Franklinton early Friday, according to parish officials. The shots were reported around 1:30 a.m., and authorities say no one was hit or injured.
The sheriff’s office identified the deputy as Lt. Jay Dupre of the Criminal Patrol Division. At the time of the incident, Dupre was off-duty, out of uniform and not in a sheriff’s office vehicle. Officials said Dupre had been with the department for about 15 years, and a criminal investigation into what happened is still underway, as reported by FOX 8.
Sheriff Requests Independent State Probe
Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith said the allegations were serious enough that he called in the Louisiana State Police to conduct an independent criminal investigation rather than keeping it entirely in-house. After reviewing the initial information, Smith said he fired Dupre and did not mince words about why.
"Deputies must conduct themselves professionally and lawfully, on duty and off. That standard does not bend for rank or years of service," Smith said, according to FOX 8.
Investigation and Next Steps
Officials have not released any further details about what led up to the gunfire on Bud Slocum Road or whether investigators currently see evidence that would support criminal charges. That call now rests with state police, whose independent probe will determine if charges are warranted.
Sheriff Smith has repeatedly emphasized professionalism and accountability in public messaging about his office, a theme that appears throughout the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office website. Dupre’s firing is an administrative move that reflects that stated standard, even as the criminal side of the case remains unresolved.
What This Means Legally
The independent investigation by Louisiana State Police could lead to criminal charges if the evidence supports them. That process is separate from the internal employment decision that ended Dupre’s 15-year tenure with the department. For now, investigators are still working to piece together exactly what happened on that Franklinton road in the early morning hours, and no criminal charges have been announced.
