“Infidelity is a breach of not only the personal commitments I made but also the professional standards we all expect from those in public service,” said Opelousas Police Department Chief Graig LeBlanc in a statement issued this week.
He issued the statement in the wake of a shooting that involved him, his wife – Opelousas Police Department Captain Crystal LeBlanc – and Opelousas Police Department officer Savannah Butler. According to a press release from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Butler shot at the couple, hitting Graig in the hand and Crystal in the arm.
Butler, 42, surrendered to the sheriff’s office Jan. 1, said the release. She was booked on two negligent injury, one count of obstruction of justice, and one count of illegal discharge of a firearm and posted bond of $22,000.
Per the sheriff’s office, Graig was inside Butler’s home just outside the Opelousas city limits on the night of Dec. 22 when Crystal arrived to talk to him. She knocked on the residence door and Graig left the home. They began arguing outside the home.
At that point, Butler appeared in the doorway armed with a gun. Graig put his hand out to retrieve the gun, but she allegedly struck him with a bullet that went through his hand and hit Crystal in the arm. Both admitted themselves to local hospitals.
“The investigation revealed that Savannah Butler cleaned up the scene to cover up evidence prior to notifying the Sheriff’s Office which constituted the charge of Obstruction of Justice,” said the sheriff’s office. “The LeBlancs’ were treated then later released pending additional medical treatment.”
After detectives obtained statements from medical personnel, police officers from the department and involved parties, they determined that charges should be brought against Butler.
“Detectives also found probable cause to issue a trespass summons to Captain Crystal LeBlanc for entering Butler’s property,” said the sheriff’s office. “Both Captain LeBlanc and Officer Butler were placed on administrative leave by their respective agencies pending the completion of the investigation.”
Graig was not facing charges as of Tuesday.
“I must acknowledge the role I played in the unfortunate situation,” he said in his letter. “I have failed in my commitment to uphold the standards expected of the Chief of Police and, more importantly, failed the trust you have placed on me.”