By JIM BUTLER

Arriving home earlier than expected Monday afternoon cost legendary lawman William Earl Hilton his life. Investigators say the long-time Rapides sheriff, 80, got to his Hineston residence as an alleged burglar was coming out of it.

Ladonna Briggs Delrie, 53, they assert, ran him over in her vehicle when he tried to bar her escape, and fled toward east, eventually captured on Coliseum Boulevard in Alexandria.

Initially booked into the Rapides jail Monday night,  she was transferred to another facility, held under $5.3 million bond.

That transfer is normal under such circumstances. The obvious conflicts also pose potential problems for prosecutors and judges.

Services for Hilton will be at noon Friday at Calvary Baptist Church. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. until services. 

What Delrie took in the alleged burglary, if anything, or was recovered hasn’t been indicated by authorities.

The Monday events followed a weekend interaction with the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Steven McCain said Delrie contacted his office Sunday with questions about the federal prison near her residence. A deputy went to her residence to discuss the matter.

Monday, McCain said, Delrie’s brother called to say she had damaged his residence.

Moments later, the sheriff learned of Hilton’s encounter and that the fleeing vehicle was registered to Delrie.

Hilton’s life of public service is widely known and has been thoroughly recounted since Monday.

Far less is documented regarding the suspect.

A resident of the Grant Parish area between Creola and Simms, she has over time pursued several career paths, according to public records.

Prior to Monday her only apparent run-in with the justice system was a January 2023 theft charge, later reduced to criminal mischief, to which she pleaded guilty.

Whether Delrie has retained counsel or will have a court-appointed attorney is not known.