Fallen Officers
This page serves as a memorial to those killed in the line of duty while serving with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.
Agent John Kahl, Sr.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 4, 1980
Agent John Kahl, Sr. was shot and killed while executing a search warrant during an investigation into illegal drug activity at a residence in St. Mary Parish. A suspect stuck the barrel of a .44 magnum revolver out of a crack in the door and fired the weapon. The bullet struck Agent Kahl in the head killing him. The suspect was shot and killed by other officers who returned fire.
Agent Kahl served with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for 13 years and previously served with the United States Navy in the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Agent Kahl’s legacy continues through the John Kahl, Sr. Award of Excellence. This academic honor is presented to the cadet who achieves the best overall exam scores during a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Law Enforcement Academy taught at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy.
In 2020, the Sheriff's Gun Range was renamed the "John I. Kahl Training Center" in memory of Agent Kahl.