Det./Sgt. Nicholas Pepper

Officer: Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper

Date: 4/2/2023            Location: Thibodaux, LA       FACTORS (1,2,8,11,21)

Perpetrator(s) Involved: Anthony H. Savoie

Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Savoie had prior arrests in Louisiana for felony resisting arrest and drug possession, and in Arkansas on June 23, 2022. / Yes, Savoie had an active warrant and committed aggravated flight from an officer when they attempted to pull him over. 

Mental Illness: Unknown.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, Savoie had a prior drug related arrest. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/33

What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At around 4 a.m. on April 2, 2023, Houma police officers attempted to pull over a Chevy Tahoe for a traffic infraction by its driver, Anthony Savoie. When Savoie refused to pull over, a high-speed pursuit ensued and the officers requested backup over the radio. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Sgt. Nicholas Pepper responded to assist in apprehending Savoie. 

Actions taken by subject toward police: At some point Savoie stopped his vehicle and was being negotiated with by the officers when he “suddenly stomped on the gas and slammed into” Sgt. Pepper’s vehicle, killing the officer as he sat in it.

Reactions by the police: Officers at the scene arrested Savoie who was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.

How murdered? Detective Sgt. Pepper was intentionally rammed by a fleeing suspect as he sat in his patrol car assisting at the traffic stop.

What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Sgt. Pepper likely remained in his vehicle in case Savoie suddenly decided to flee again, and the officer would not have been any safer had he exited his patrol vehicle.

Would the officer have been justified in using deadly force before being murdered? Yes, however while seated inside his vehicle it would have been very difficult for the officer to access his weapon and accurately shoot at Savoie as Savoie’s Tahoe was driven at a high rate of speed toward him.

Outcome for the cop-killer: Savoie was arrested and faces charges of first-degree murder of a police officer, attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, aggravated flight from an officer, and a warrant for failure to appear.

Miscellaneous: With an active warrant and an arrest for drugs and felony resisting just two years earlier, Savoie should have still been incarcerated.