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Off-duty Gretna police officer killed in fight www.privateofficer.com
Brett Thomas, a seven-year veteran of the Gretna PD, died after being hit in the scuffle.
Eighth District New Orleans Police officers responded to a 4 a.m. call of a fight in the 400 block of Bourbon Street and found the 28-year-old lying on the ground, Public Information Officer Janssen Valencia said.
EMT’s took Thomas to a hospital, where he died. Coroner John Gagliano confirmed Sunday afternoon that the cause of death was trauma to the head.
Gretna Deputy Police Chief Anthony H. Christiana said Thomas was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division and was a member of the department’s Special Response Team.
“The Gretna Police Department and Community will miss Detective Thomas’ professionalism, dedication, loyalty and integrity as a member of this agency,” Christiana said in a news release.
During the investigation, Valencia said detectives learned that Thomas, who was with friends, got into a “verbal altercation,” which escalated into a fight with a random group of men.
Thomas was hit and collapsed and, shortly thereafter, those involved in the fight fled.
Anyone with information that can help with the investigation is asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111. A cash reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible.
