The vigil was held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Charenton near where Sgt. Riggenbach was killed and two St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s deputies critically wounded. A civilian, Eddie Lyons, was also killed.
Police arrested Wilbert Thibodeaux, 48, on charges of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of arson.
Chitimacha Police Chief Blaise Smith addressed those in attendance Wednesday saying, “There were four heroes, and two lost their lives.”
The names of the dead were read aloud, accompanied by the ring of a bell for each.
“We cannot begin to understand the ‘why’ of that day,” Pastor Paul Godfrey said. “It is not left to mankind to understand all things.”
Chitimacha Tribal Chairman John Paul Darden told the gathering that Riggenback was a member of the community and well-known by its residents.
Smith added that over the years that Riggenbach was employed by Chitimacha police, he has received numerous compliments on his work as an officer.
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