[UPDATE] Shreveport Mourns Death of Officer Thomas LaValley

UPDATE:  A memorial service honoring the life and service of Officer Thomas LaValley, will be held Friday August 7, at 4PM at Summer Grove Baptist Church, located at 8924 Jewella Ave., Shreveport, LA 71118. Visitation will follow until 9PM.

Law enforcement agencies, city officials and the public are mourning the death of a Shreveport police officer.

Police Chief Willie Shaw says Officer Thomas LaValley was called to a suspicious person call at a home in the 3500 block of Del Rio Street. The female caller reported a male was threatening her neighbor. The woman said the suspect was possibly armed and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Officer LaValley tried to contact the suspect inside the home, when the man pulled a firearm and shot LaValley multiple times in the upper body. Responding officers found LaValley, pulled him out of the home and called for medical assistance.

LaValley was taken to University Health, where he was later pronounced dead. LaValley was on duty, in full uniform and wearing his department-issued body armor at the time he was shot.

Authorities from multiple law enforcement agencies set up a perimeter in an effort to catch the gunman, who had fled the scene after killing Officer LaValley. The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Grover D. Cannon of the 3400 block of Judson Street in Shreveport. He was being sought by police for shooting 45-year-old Darren Williams back on July 15, and has a warrant out for his arrest charging him with one count of attempted second degree murder in connection with that shooting.

The search for Cannon continues, with law enforcement agencies from across northwest Louisiana working together to put him behind bars. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should call Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.

Chief Shaw has this message regarding Cannon:

"There is nowhere that he can go, there's nothing he can do to stop us from bringing him to justice. These guys and ladies will not rest until he's brought to justice."

The chief also called Cannon a coward, and suggests he turn himself in to authorities. "Wherever he goes, we will find him," Shaw said.

A Facebook page called "In Memory of Officer Thomas LaValley" has been set up for those who wish to share their memories of him.

The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to Cannon's arrest. Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers is offering an additional $1,000. Call 318-673-7373 if you know anything that might help.