Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has issued Executive Order No. JML 26-031 directing flags of the United States and the State of Louisiana to be flown at half-staff today, Friday, March 27, from sunrise to sunset over the State Capitol and all state buildings, in honor of former Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton.

Hilton, 80, died March 23 following a hit-and-run incident at his Hineston-area home. He served as Rapides Parish Sheriff from 1992 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2020, accumulating more than 50 years of law enforcement service to the parish.

A funeral service for Hilton is scheduled for noon today at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria.

Ladonna Delrie, 53, of Pollock, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death and is being held on $5.3 million bond.

Sources: Governor Jeff Landry Executive Order No. JML 26-031, March 26, 2026; Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office; KLFY, March 26, 2026.