Nov 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.11

AROUND THE

AROUND THE COUNTRYPLAQUEMINE, LA.Deputy Sheriff Charles Riley was shot and killed while interviewing asuspect at the Iberville Parish Courthouse in Plaquemine.BY John Ory DupontGONZALES — Hundreds packedthe PACE Center in Gonzales tohonor an Iberville Parish sheriff’sdeputy who gave his life to serveand save the lives of others.Law enforcement officer andfriends paid their final respectsto Deputy Charles Riley, who diedOct. 6 from a gunshot wound whiletrying to stop suspect Latrell Clarkfrom disarming Deputy Brett StassiJr.Clark also died in the shooting.Stassi remains hospitalized.Riley was the epitome of a greatlaw enforcement officer, SheriffBrett Stassi said.“In a moment that will forever beetched in our hearts, he didn’t justwear a badge — he embodied everythingit stands for,” he said. “Hisactions save lives, including my sonBrett, and others who were therethat day.“Because of his bravery, otherswere able to go home that night totheir families. He didn’t just give hislife in vain — Charlie is and alwayswill as be a hero.”Maj. Monty Migliacio struggled tohold back tears as he paid tributeto Riley, whom he described as“a steady presence who loved hiscommunity and his entire IbervilleParish family.”He said he will remember RileyDEPUTY WILL MAYDEPUTY CHARLES RILEYas a proud U.S. Navy veteran andoutstanding Iberville Parish deputywho served with integrity, honorand passion. Migliacio also describedhim as a man who “servedwith honor, integrity and compassion.”“He was so much to so many — aloving husband, a devoted father, aproud and beautiful son, a belovedbrother and a hero,” Migliiacio said.“He brought comfort to the streetsof Iberville Parish, kindness toeveryday conversations and, mostof all, laughter with his latest jokesand pranks. We will forever begrateful for his service, his sacrificeand heroic actions.”Capt. Will Danielfield worked withRiley six years and six months. Rileywas not just a coworker, he said.“He was family,” Danielfield said.“He was the kind of man you couldcount on in any situation — steady,humble and always willing to lenda hand."“Charles was the kind of manwho would show up even beforeyou had to ask, whether it was alate-night call or just a call to geton my nerves. Charles was there… excited, dependable and full ofstrength. I can’t count the numberof late nights, long talks and laughswe shared … moments that mademe realize this job was more than acareer.”Riley, a Navy veteran, was survivedby his wife and two daughters.Stassi had a message forRiley’s wife and kids.“Carlye, Ella and Cassie … Lookaround you. You’re not just part ofthe Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Officeand you’re not just part of ourdepartment, but part of our community,”he said. “But more thanthat, we will remember a man wholeft behind a legacy that will neverface.”The service ended with a 21-gunsalute, the sounding of “Taps.”It also included the final call forRiley: “Rest in peace, Deputy CharlesRiley. We have the watch fromhere."36 The BLUES NOVEMBER ‘25

The BLUES - NOVEMBER ‘25 37