Morse police chief suffers broken back in car accident

MORSE, La. (KLFY) – Morse Police Chief Barton Kibodeaux was hospitalized Tuesday after an accident at his police unit resulted in a broken back.

In a message on Morse PD Facebook page Posted at 1:05 a.m. Wednesday, Kibodeaux said he “had a serious accident” in which he fractured his L2 and L4 vertebrae.

“At this point they sent me home with a back brace where I will have to meet with a spine specialist to decide what to do next,” Kibodeaux said. “That’s why I asked all of you to say an extra prayer that I can get through this and have a successful healing.”

Kibodeaux posted an update Today at 7:52 a.m. he announced that he was discharged from the hospital.

“I’m sitting at home with a back brace waiting for the orthopedist to call me back to make an appointment when I can see him,” he said. “I am in a lot of pain but I appreciate all the calls, texts and messages. If I don’t get back to you immediately, please understand that I’m resting. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for answering the community’s calls with me and the police.”

Kibodeaux, who was elected unopposed as Morse police chief in the Oct. 14, 2023 gubernatorial primary, said Lt. Hollins Trahan Jr. will assume most of the police chief’s administrative duties until further notice.

“Our village means the most to me and I will come back stronger than ever to take care of the people who care for me,” he said.

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