Wildlife agents face armed public in remote places

Wildlife enforcement agents like Sgt. Scott Bullitt, who was shot in the line of duty in Ouachita Parish Thursday night and remains in serious condition, face inherent danger because almost everyone they encounter is armed and the agents primarily patrol alone.

"Because of the nature of the job almost all the interaction our agents have is with people who have a gun or some other weapon," Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham said.

Col. Joey Broussard, LDWF's chief enforcement officer, said agents rarely have on-site backup, although Bullitt was traveling with a partner because he was training a younger agent.

"It this situation he was fortunate to have had a partner," Broussard said. "Ninety percent of the time the agents are working alone."

And much of the agents' work is done in remote areas, as was the case Thursday night at Wham Brake boat launch on the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area.

"The potential danger is heightened because of the remoteness of these areas and the long distance away of any backup," Barham said. "It seems like the world for our agents is more and more dangerous as criminals seek out these remote areas to conduct their business."

"What we're seeing is more and more drug users leaving the towns and cities to escape the glare of local law enforcement who have them on their radar," Broussard said. "That's what we're seeing daily. I see one or two a month we arrest who have extensive criminal records."

Despite the dangers, Broussard said the department has been fortunate that such instances in which agents are wounded or killed have been few, which he said is a testament to the skill of those on the force.

The late Paul Stuckey of Zachary, who was shot and killed in 2011 just outside of St. Francisville while on patrol, was the last agent casualty before Bullitt was shot Thursday night.

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1