KVPI News has learned that according to a letter furnished to area funeral homes, Evangeline Parish Sheriff, Eddie Soileau, has made the decision to cease escort services to funeral homes for funeral processions as of April 1, 2016.  He states with federal, state and local government budget cuts and cuts to local employment, the “Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office will no longer be in the funeral home escort business.”  Soileau stated because of “the rise in the volume of calls handled by his department and manpower available, it will not be possible to continue providing this service.”

KVPI News spoke with several funeral home owners including, Ezekiel Thomas with Owens-Thomas Funeral Home.  When asked about the Sheriff’s decision, he stated: “We don’t like it.  We don’t like it at all.  It’s not right.  These families need safe escorts to the cemeteries and we travel all over the parish.  A lot of people come from out of town and they do not know their way around.  We don’t think it’s fair.  To me, before he made that decision, he could have spoken to the funeral homes.  He should have called a meeting with all of the funeral homes in the area.  We could have worked together to come up with a solution.”  Thomas also stated “I know the Sheriff doesn’t want it to come out of his budget, but we could have come up with a solution.”  He stated in other cities he has worked in, there is a fee charged for the escort, but that it was always available.

KVPI News has spoken with Sheriff Soileau and he stated that "Yes, there is a shortage of funds and manpower; however, he is willing to meet with the funeral homes to come to come up with a solution."  He stated his door is "always open."  We will keep you updated on the matter as information becomes available.