The Town of Ball Police Department honored former Assistant Chief Carl Bordelon with a plaque at the town’s Officer Memorial Wall on March 24.
Bordelon passed away from natural causes on January 10, 2015, while on duty. In remembrance and honor of Bordelon, his badge number, BL3, has been retired.
The memorial ceremony event, organized by current Ball Chief of Police Marshall Deen, Bordelon’s fiancée Alicia Leggett, and BPD, brought together Bordelon’s family members and law enforcement officers from nearby departments.
Pollock Police Chief Chris Paul was one of the speakers at the ceremony. Chief Paul recounted Bordelon’s instrumental role in securing the BPD’s first K-9 dog and shared more about who Bordelon was.
“Carl was a good man. A lot of people sometimes look at a law enforcement officer while they’re in uniform and won’t approach them, but you didn’t have that problem with Carl,” Paul shared. “He was going to approach you. He would ask about your family, how’s your wife doing, things like that—whether he was in uniform or just out in town. Very friendly person and everyone respected him here.”
Ethan Looney, Bordelon’s nephew, also spoke at the ceremony. Looney followed in his uncle’s footsteps by becoming a police officer at the same station. He shared how his Uncle Carl’s influence shaped his life and career choices.
“He taught me, without even saying a word, that this life is about how many lives you can touch, not how much money you can make,” he said. “He painted the perfect picture of what I believe a police officer should be – not just a ticket writer, not just someone who goes and chases the bad guy, but someone who touches lives in different ways.
“I’m glad that this is happening. It shows the fellow officers coming after him that the town cares about them and that their lives matter. I just want to thank him for being such a good role model. I hope he’s looking down, watching over all of us, and continues to guide me as I continue my career,” Looney added.
The memorial plaque is located at the Town of Ball’s Park and Walking Trail, behind the gazebo.