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​On December 24, 2019, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers with the Abbeville Police Department responded to a call of an Armed Robbery at Gamestop, located at 3001 Veteran’s Memorial Drive.
According to the Abbeville Police Department, an officer who happened to be working an off-duty detail in the area did not witness the robbery but was able to notice an individual running from the area immediately prior to officers getting the call of the robbery.
Patrol officers saturated the area with units, attempting to locate the suspect. Based on the description given by the off-duty officer, officers located a subject and detained him. The subject was in possession of a concealed handgun, which the subject stated was his, but he did not have a concealed carry permit.
​A subsequent investigation by both the patrol division and the detective division determined that the subject that was detained was indeed the suspect in the robbery. The detained subject, later identified as Shatravin Hamilton of Duson, was transported to the Abbeville Police Department.
Hamilton was subsequently charged with Armed Robbery with a Firearm and Illegal Carrying of Weapons. Hamilton was transported to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center. Bond for the Armed Robbery with a Firearm has been set at $150,000 and the bond for Illegal Carrying of Weapons has been set at $5,000.
​Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, the Abbeville Police Department is not releasing any further details regarding this incident at this time.
Chief of Police William Spearman would like to commend his officers for a job well done. Chief Spearman would also like to thank the citizens of Abbeville for their support and help they provide to the Abbeville Police Department.
​Chief Spearman would also like to remind all of the citizens that we are there, 24 hours a day, to serve you. We encourage all of our citizens to stay vigilant and contact us if you need. In addition to dialing 911, you can contact us at 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

May 23, 1956 ~ December 25, 2019

ABBEVILLE — Memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, honoring the life of Debra Gautreau Blanchard, 63, who died Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Deacon William “Billy” Vincent officiating the services.
Debra is survived by her sister, Rachel Breaux and her husband Brian of Maurice; three brothers, Clyde Louis Gautreau and his wife Roxanne of Houston, TX, William Joseph Gautreau and his wife June of Youngsville, and Tony James Gautreau and his wife Christine of Lafayette; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Nolan Joseph Blanchard; father, Joseph “J.C.” Gautreau; and mother, Shirley Viator Gautreau.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St. on Saturday, December 28, 2019 from 9:00 AM until time of services.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

ABBEVILLE — There is an understanding among members of the law enforcement family; the next shift may be their last.
Members of the Vermilion Parish law enforcement family and others gathered Friday morning at the Abbeville Police Department for the John “Dooley” Hardy Memorial, remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The memorial is held each December by the Fraternal Order of Police John “Dooley” Hardy Memorial Lodge 48 to honor fallen officers from Vermilion Parish.
“I think memorial services like this are some of the most important things we can do,” Abbeville Chief of Police William Spearman said. “This is not only for the families and the fallen officers, but also for the community, that they never forget what these officers sacrificed so that the community can be safe.”
Officers from Vermilion Parish who gave their lives in the line of duty include John “Dooley” Hardy (Dec. 24, 1992), Todd Touchet (Jan. 8, 2000) of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rodney Trahan (April 6, 1969) of the Kaplan Police Department, Otto Bourque (Oct. 3, 1964) of the Erath Police Department, and Allen Bares Jr. (June 23, 2014) of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry served as the keynote speaker Friday morning.
“Today, we honor and recognize those who have fallen amongst us,” Landry said. “That is the ultimate sacrifice that Dooley, Todd, Rodney, Otto and Allen made. While we still mourn their losses, we should be comforted that they did the Lord’s work. The Gospel of Matthew declares: blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
Peace can be a fragile thing when a member of law enforcement goes out on a call, Landry said.
“It’s important to recognize that there is an absolute thin blue line,” Landry said, “between those who stand to protect, and those who want to harm. Each and every day, law enforcement officers from federal to state to the local level, kiss their family members before they go out. They put on their uniforms and go about the business of ensuring public safety.
“The people we honor here today did exactly that. We honor and recognize the sacrifice they were willing to make.”
Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Capt. Drew David, who read the End of Watch for each of the five fallen officers, said they remain an inspiration for each of their loved ones.
“We love them, and we miss them,” David said. “In our faith, we know that they still protect us. Our challenge is to live each day of our lives, wanting to see them again. They are in their heavenly rest. They are watching over us. It is up to us to live every day to see them again in that eternal glory.”

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette awarded 1,358 degrees during its Fall 2019 Commencement on Friday.
Bachelor’s degrees were presented to 1,077 graduates. Master’s degrees were awarded to 255 graduates, the largest number in UL Lafayette history. Twenty-four graduates received doctoral degrees. One graduate certificate and one post-baccalaureate certificate were bestowed.
The 805 degrees conferred on women are the second-most ever. Fall 2019 graduates represented 50 Louisiana parishes, 30 states and 30 countries. The youngest graduate was 20; the oldest was 61.
At the General Assembly, Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, told graduates that higher education is a “self-perpetuating, intergenerational enterprise. Your college degree increases the likelihood that your children will pursue one as well.”
That’s significant, he added, because “communities where a high percentage of residents have college degrees have vibrant public education systems, better infrastructure, more opportunities for social mobility, and stronger overall economies.”
University alum and Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot was the Commencement speaker. Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. It is nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization and second-largest U.S. charity.
Babineaux-Fontenot told graduates they are among “the largest, most diverse, most educated generation the world has ever known. We need you to use your heads, your hands, your hearts, your feet and your voices to make this world – our world – better.”
Victoria Furka was named UL Lafayette’s Outstanding Graduate. A biology major who minored in chemistry, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Tina Billberry was recognized with the Outstanding Master’s Graduate Award. She received a master’s degree in nursing, with a family nurse practitioner focus, from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
Eleven undergraduates were recognized as summa cum laude graduates for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
Katelyn Grace Clay, who majored in marketing, received a bachelor’s degree from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
Joni Beatrice-Louise Watson, who majored in hospitality management, received a bachelor’s degree from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
Emily Claire Delcambre, who majored in elementary education, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
Bryce James Hargis, who majored in kinesiology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
Mohammed Hamood Khalfan Al Jahmani, who majored in petroleum engineering, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.
Abigail Renee Guidry, who majored in English, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
Lindsey Louise Held, who majored in psychology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
Mary Jean Rosato, who majored in strategic communication, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
Kristen Marie Meche, who majored in nursing, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
Victoria Marie Furka, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Kaleb Jude Robin, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.