St. Tammany deputy shot on burglary call, 13-year-old suspect in custody, sheriff says

WALDHEIM, La. (WVUE) - A St. Tammany Parish deputy was shot and wounded by an armed 13-year-old burglary suspect, Sheriff Randy Smith said early Wednesday (May 25). The agency said the young suspect is in custody.

In connection with the shooting of a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy and the burglary of a local area business, a 13-year-old Waldheim area male has been arrested and booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges:

L.R.S. 14:27/30 Attempted First Degree Murder

L.R.S. 14:108.2 Resisting a Police Officer with Force or Violence

L.R.S. 14:108 Resisting an Officer

L.R.S. 14:34.2 B(3) Battery of a Police Officer, Injury Medical Attention

L.R.S. 14:62/I Simple Burglary

L.R.S. 14:95.8 Illegal Possession of a Handgun by a Juvenile

L.R.S. 14:69 Illegal Possession of Stolen Goods

Smith told Fox 8 that Deputy Kenneth Doby was shot as he and another deputy wrestled the suspect to the ground on the side of a road, after spotting him walking away from Backroads Mercantile, a grocery store near the intersection of state highways 21 and 1083 in Waldheim that had been burglarized around 3 a.m.

While effecting the arrest, Doby was shot once, “beneath the back of his bullet-proof vest,” Smith said. The four-year veteran of the St. Tammany agency continued assisting his partner with handcuffing the teen even after being shot, then was taken to Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington for emergency treatment.

“Right now, it looks like he’s going to have a full recovery,” Smith said. “We’re very lucky. ... We’re just thankful he’s going to be OK, because it could’ve been a lot worse.”

Doby joined the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2018, Smith said, after starting his law enforcement career in the sheriff’s offices of Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.

With St. Tammany, Doby was named “Deputy of the Quarter” in January 2020. A social media post said Doby “comes to work enthusiastic and demonstrates an exemplary work ethic. He faithfully handles his calls for service and is always willing to assist a teammate if needed. ... His supervisors said he is the epitome of the definition of ‘hustle,’ and he understands and appreciates a team concept and seeks out the advice from experienced deputies.”

The post also mentioned Doby had an unspecified military background, which the agency said “has played a significant role in contributing to his polite, professional manner when interacting with citizens.”

***Blood Drive to be Held Friday to Benefit Deputy Shot in the Line of Duty***

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has received an outpouring of support from the community following the on-duty shooting of a deputy.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has received inquiries from the members of the public on how they can help Deputy Kenneth Doby and his family.

While blood donations frequently come up as response to a shooting incident, it does not appear that Deputy Doby will be needing blood. However, The Blood Center has graciously offered to host a blood drive to benefit Deputy Doby, Friday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Registrar of Voters Office on the first floor of the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center parking garage.

The Blood Center will open an account in Deputy Doby’s name and issue $10 credits for donations received at the blood drive.

Blood donations can also be made at The Blood Center’s Slidell Donor Center or one of the nine other blood center locations, at any time, in Deputy Doby’s name. Donors should specify “Replacement donation on behalf of Deputy Kenneth Doby.” These donations will also be included in the financial tally.

Blood type or relationship to Deputy Doby has no bearing on this action.

For many patients, the financial support helps greatly with out-of-pocket expenses such as prescription deductibles, gas to and from the hospital and doctor’s visits, electric bills and household expenses while the individual and family members are out of work.

Sheriff Randy Smith would like to thank the Blood Center for reaching out and offering their help during this time.

This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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