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In February 2025, 11 senior Abbeville Police Officers won the first round of their lawsuit against the city over a pay dispute.
On Monday afternoon at the district court in Abbeville, Judge Michelle Billeaud listened to both attorneys discuss how much the city should pay in back wages to the 11 senior police officers.
James Hilburn, the attorney for Abbeville, argued that the city does not owe the 11 officers any money.
Some of the senior officers suing the city were in the courtroom.
Chris Landry, the attorney for the 11 senior officers, said the city owes them about $333,000. This amount includes their base pay, 2% raises from the past year, and missed retirement contributions.
After hearing both sides, Judge Billeaud told the attorneys she would announce her decision on February 2, 2026.
Each attorney brought a certified public accountant to the stand to explain to Judge Billeaud what they believed the city should owe the 11 officers.
Landry called CPA Michael Broussard from Langlinais Broussard & Kohlenberg, who told the judge that each senior officer should get an average of $19,000 in back pay. Some officers with higher salaries could get $36,000, $34,000, $33,000, or $30,000, while others might get as little as $8,000, depending on whether they still work for the department.
Hilburn called CPA Steven G. Moosa from Darnal, Sikes and Frederick to explain why he believes the city does not owe the officers any more money.
Moosa said all police officers got around $19,840 in raises within three years. Since everyone received equal pay increases, he argued that the pay scale stayed correct, and the city does not owe back pay to the 11 officers.
Both attorneys are citing a state law that applies only to Abbeville to argue whether senior officers should get extra pay.
Attorney Chris Landry refers to Louisiana State Law 33:2212, which covers laws specific to the Abbeville Police Department.
Landry argues the city owes $333,000 in back pay because a state law set the salaries for first-class officers, sergeants, and lieutenants.
One law states that a first-class officer will receive 15 percent more than a new officer. A sergeant will always receive 25 percent more than a new officer, and a lieutenant will receive 50 percent more than a new officer.
Landry told the judge that two city raises doubled the yearly pay of a starting patrol officer from $20,000 to $40,000.
However, a lieutenant who made $30,000 before the raises now makes $50,000. This is only $10,000 more than a starting officer or 25 percent more, instead of the required 50 percent like the state law states.
A sergeant who made $27,000 before the raises now makes $47,000. According to the law, a sergeant should earn 25 percent more than a starting patrol officer, which would be $51,750 a year, not $47,000.
Moosa, however, is trying to persuade the judge to consider a different argument.
Mossa told the judge that, just below the section about percentage pay raises, the law also allows the city to give equal raises to all full-time police officers, without consideration of rank or years of service. These raises are funded by a special sales tax, which city voters approved.
The city could only afford to give all police department employees the same pay raise, instead of making sure senior officers got additional percentages above a first-year officer’s pay.
Moosa said that some senior officers are now at the right percentage after the two pay raises. For example, a lieutenant who made $60,000 before the raises now makes $71,000, which is more than 50 percent above the starting salary of $40,000.
In 2019, a new Abbeville officer started at a $20,000 salary before any raises were applied. Three years later, that officer’s pay rose to over $40,000, and they are one of the 11 suing the city.
Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White is disappointed with the lawsuit. She notes that taxpayers approved a sales tax increase to fund employee raises, but some officers still feel they are owed more money.
“We gave a generous raise - more generous than has ever been given,” said Mayor White. “More than any other department in the city. We feel we have done everything within the law. The fact that a handful of officers believe they are owed more money is their right; but it is up to the court to tell us how much we owe them. We are going to have to deal with the ramifications of that.”
No matter what Judge Billeaud decides on February 2, 2026, the losing side is expected to appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, five Vermilion Parish teams are moving on to the postseason.
The Abbeville Wildcats, Delcambre Panthers, Erath Bobcats, Kaplan Pirates, and Vermilion Catholic Screamin’ Eagles will all be in action when the LHSAA playoffs begin on Friday.
The Erath Bobcats secured the highest seed in the Division III Non-Select bracket, achieving a perfect 10-0 record during the regular season. They are set to host No. 28 Bogalusa in the first round of the playoffs. The winner of this matchup will advance to face the winner of the game between No. 12 Union Parish and No. 21 Rayville.
Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc watched film on Bogulsa.
“They may have one win, but they have athletes,” said LeBlanc.  “Their schedule was tough. They played three 5A teams.”
Coach LeBlanc told his team that going 10-0 is behind them, and that each playoff team is now 0-0.
“We are going to take it one game at a time,” he said.

The No. 20 Pirates (6-4) are also in the Division III Non-Select bracket. They will travel to face No. 13 Pine High. The winner of that match-up will take on No. 4 Kinder, which has a bye in the first round.
“The kids believe,” said Kaplan head coach John Thompson. “They believe every game they can win.
Pine (7-3) is not afraid to score points. In their wins, they have scored 64, 55, 44, 48, and 37 points.
“They can score,” said Thomson. “We have to do our best and keep their offense off the field.”
Abbeville will make its return to the playoffs after missing last year. They are part of the Division II Non-Select bracket. The No. 26 Wildcats (4-6) will be on the road against No. Franklin Parish. The winner moves on to the second round against the winner of No. 10 Lutcher and No. 23 Iota.
The Panthers are the No. 26 seed in the Division IV Non-Select playoffs. Delcambre will hit the road to square off with No. 7 East Feliciana. Awaiting the winner in the second round is the winner of No. 10 Ferriday and No. 23 Northeast.
Vermilion Catholic, the reigning champions, is the No. 22 seed in the Division IV Select bracket. The Eagles will travel to face No. 11 Kentwood, a team they beat during last year’s run to a title. 
A win would set up a rematch with district rival Ascension Episcopal, the No. 6 seed, which has a bye.

September 28, 1965 - November 6, 2025

A Funeral Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Matthews Funeral Home in Gueydan, LA for Mr. Purvis “Tommy” Lepretre, 60, who passed away on November 6, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, LA.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Matthews Funeral Home in Gueydan, LA from 10 a.m. until his service at 3 p.m. with a rosary recited at 11:30 a.m.
Father Stephen Irudayasamy will be the officiate and inurnment will follow in the Gueydan Cemetery.
Mr. Tommy was born in Gueydan, LA on September 28, 1965, to Mr. Wallace and Mrs. Linda Lepretre of Kaplan, LA. Well known for cooking skills, Tommy was always ready to make a meal for his friends and family. He had a passion for the outdoors, loving to hunt and fish. Tommy was a dedicated Sunday Football Saints Fan. Always ready to help and lend a hand, Tommy never met a stranger. He would light up any room he was a part of. A beloved son, brother, godfather, and friend whose memory will be cherished by those he leaves behind.
Tommy is survived by his parents, Wallace and Linda Lepretre; his significant other, Lyn Lege; his beloved dog, Max; brothers, Brandon Lepretre (Traci), Scotty (Shelly) Lepretre and Randy (Nadine) Lepretre all of Gueydan, LA; Godchild, Christopher Lepretre and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ernest and Eunice Lepretre and Purvis and Edmae Benoit.
Pallbearers chosen to carry Mr. Tommy to his place of rest will be Brandon Lepretre, Scotty Lepretre, Randy Lepretre, Hunter, Randy Jr., and Nikolas Lepretre.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, Acadian Ambulance, Marsha with Nursing Specialty, Fresenious Kidney Care in Abbeville, as well as his personal care attendant, Ruby Judge.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Matthews Funeral Home JENNINGS, 511 N Cutting Ave Jennings, LA 70546

On Oct. 28, at approximately 12:42 a.m., officers with the Abbeville Police Department were dispatched to the area of Schlessinger Street and East Martin Luther King Drive in reference to a complaint of the sound of gunshots in the area.
Upon arrival, officers located multiple .223 spent rifle shell casings at the intersection of Dutel Street and Greene Street.
The Abbeville Police Department's Investigation Division took over the investigation at that time. The investigation revealed that at approximately 12:43 a.m., the suspect’s vehicle was described as an older model Chevrolet Malibu, silver in color with front driver side damage to the bumper.
The vehicle, driven by a juvenile, was seen turning west onto Greene Street from Schlessinger Street. The investigation also revealed that there was a passenger, later identified as Tyrese Dugas, 24, on the inside of the vehicle. As the suspect’s vehicle traveled west on the 1300 block of Greene Street, Dugas reportedly began shooting towards a residence. As the suspect’s vehicle continued to travel west on Greene Street, subjects near a residence on the 1300 block of Greene Street begin to shoot towards the subject’s vehicle as is fled from the area. The suspect vehicle continued west on Greene Street, turned north onto Dutel Street, and left the area.
Following the investigation, detectives obtained felony arrest warrants for Tyrese Dugas and the juvenile driving the suspect vehicle.
Tyrese Dugas is being charged with:
• Illegal Use of weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies
Juvenile is being charged with:
• Principal to Illegal Use of weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities
This case is still actively under investigation and Chief Hardy urges the public to provide any further information regarding this crime or any other crime by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511. You may also contact our “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion by calling (337) 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.