A shootout that occurred Tuesday resulted in the death of a U.S. Marshal.
The incident occurred on the outside of Baton Rouge in New Orleans, after Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Wells was attempting to apprehend a fugitive, Jamie D. Croom, who has been loose since February 20 and is wanted for the killings of a brother and sister outside of the Sugar Shack nightclub located in Pointe Coupee.
A spokesman for the U.S. Marshals Service, Drew Wade, shared their condolences of the U.S. Marshal community and expressed the hazards that these men face everyday stating, “Deputy marshals risk their lives every day going after the worst of the worst. This is a sad day for law enforcement.”
Croom, the fugitive, who shot Wells, was also shot that evening and taken to the hospital. Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Beauregard Torres III exclaimed that “He was a dangerous criminal,” and “It was a very high price to pay for this warrant to bring this man into custody. It was a very, very high price.”
Wells had become a member of the U.S. Marshalls after he graduated from Jackson State University in 2011. He was a well-liked member of his team.
Supervisory Inspector Jeff Husted commented on his passing by saying “He was a good deputy and a good guy.” He was at a loss for words and did not know much more to say about the subject.
Jackson Police Department. JPD Chief Lee Vance, who works with Wells brother, Obie Wells, states “The line of duty puts you in harm’s way, and he paid the ultimate price. It appears it was a very heroic effort, and I know his loss will be felt by people who love and respect law enforcement all over the country. The Jackson Police Department, obviously we are grieving with and for Sgt. Obie Wells, this makes this particular loss even more personal for us, and we certainly will be here for him and his family in whatever way we’re needed.”
It’s evident that his family, friends, and community of state officials will miss Wells, and will honor his memory.
Photo: Courtesy Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office
