Bernice Interim Police Chief on Leave

BERNICE, Louisiana (KNOE) – Following a town hall meeting in Union Parish, Acting Police Chief Gerald Lee was placed on leave with pay intact.

This happened after witnesses said Lee got into an altercation with a local deacon named Amos Graham on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

KNOE spoke with Graham about the altercation. According to Graham, he and his friends were approached by an officer on Sunday who asked them twice if they knew the whereabouts of a certain man. Graham said even though he told the officer the man was walking down the street, the officer threatened to call the interim chief.

Graham said when Lee arrived, the man he was looking for returned. Graham claims Lee then began yelling and using profanities before ordering Graham to come to the middle of the road.

Graham told KNOE that he was just about to walk away when Lee picked him up and “threw him” to the ground.

“…I just see my life, excuse me, passing before my eyes. I just don’t know what to do. It hurts inside me now, but I tell them everything is going to be OK,” Graham said. “With the police, I’m going to have a hard time trusting them.”

Graham said he was in the process of speaking with a lawyer about the incident.

At the town hall meeting, KNOE learned that the Louisiana State Police will be launching an investigation into the matter. In the meantime, someone from the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office will be selected to take over duties during Lee’s absence.

This is an evolving story.

WATCH: KNOE’S LATEST VIDEO

All rights reserved.