Frannycakes brought this to my attention today via e-mail:

BASTROP — Two Bastrop police officers and one criminal suspect were killed in a shootout this afternoon at a hotel in this northeastern Louisiana town.

Authorities are searching for another suspect — a woman who also is wanted in Texas.

In addition to the three killed, a paramedic who answered a call at the scene was shot and was in stable condition at a local hospital, said state police Trooper Mark Dennis.

In all likelihood, the paramedic shot is a friend or former co-worker. The EMS fraternity in Morehouse, Union and Ouachita Parishes is a pretty small one. There are very few EMTs up there that I don’t know, and that goes for the Bastrop cops as well.

I’m scrambling to get more information, but for certain a few families in Bastrop could certainly use your prayers and good wishes.

Thanks.

Update 9:30 pm, CST

The slain Bastrop Police officers are John Smith, an 18-year veteran of Bastrop PD, and Chuck Wilson, an 11-year veteran of the department.

The wounded EMT is David Thomas. The news reports identify him as a paramedic, but last I heard David was an EMT-B and the Operations Manager for Med Life Ambulance. News reports also cite another paramedic, likely David’s partner, grazed by gunfire but not hospitalized.

My prayers for the swift recovery of David and his partner, and my condolences to the families of the slain officers.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13