Holly MatkinSlidell, LA – New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney died in the line of duty on April 9 due to complications from being shot in the head more than two years earlier.
The 34-year-old officer, who was also a firefighter and U.S. Army veteran, was out on patrol with his partner on Oct. 20, 2020, when a pedicab passenger opened fire on them on St. Philip Street near Royal Street, The Times-Picayune reported.
The gunman was later identified as 47-year-old Donnell Linwood Hassell.
Hassell shot Officer Abney just below his left eye with a .40-caliber handgun, The Times-Picayune reported.
The bullet shattered the windshield of the patrol car, leaving Officer Abney’s partner, NOPD Officer Brooke Duncan, with lacerations to his arm.
Hassell was apprehended by police after a foot pursuit through the French Quarter, The Times-Picayune reported.
He was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer and is still pending trial.
Those charges are expected to be upgraded.
Both officers survived the initial attack, but surgeons were unable to remove the bullet from Officer Abney’s brain, The Times-Picayune reported.
The lodged bullet also left the young officer blind in his left eye.
Officer Abney spent five days in the hospital before being released to continue his recovery at home.
He succumbed to complications from his cerebral gunshot wound on April 9 while at his residence, The Times-Picayune reported.
The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office has ruled Officer Abney’s death a homicide, according to WVUE.
“All of us here at the New Orleans Police Department are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney,” the NOPD said in a statement to WDSU. “Officer Abney was a valued member of the police department who served the community with compassion and professionalism.”
Officer Abney was an Iraq War veteran and served with the St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 11 prior to joining the NOPD in 2015, The Times-Picayune reported.
After graduating from the police academy, he was assigned as a field recruit in the NOPD’s Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Districts, according to the police department.
The Eighth District soon became his permanent assignment.
Officer Abney “continued to serve with distinction” until the ambush, the NOPD said.
He was also awarded a “commendation for exemplary performance in the line of duty that saved the life of a citizen, as well as the Purple Heart Medal for injuries received in the line of duty,” the department noted.
“His presence will be greatly missed by all his fellow officers as well as people in the community,” the NOPD said. “Our most sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Abney during this tragic and difficult time.”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell also issued a statement in the wake of Officer Abney’s death.
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of New Orleans Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney, who died unexpectedly yesterday,” Cantrell said, according to WWL. “My deepest condolences to his family and to the New Orleans Police Department – both of whom have lost a man cherished, loved and dedicated. A decorated public servant, Officer Abney will be greatly missed by his peers, family members and the City of New Orleans.”
— New Orleans Police Department (@NOPDNews) April 10, 2023
RIP. Louisiana Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney succumbed to his injuries from a gunshot wound sustained on October 30th, 2020. He is survived by his wife and parents. STOP SHOOTING MY POLICE OFFICERS!!! #rip #hero #SeniorPoliceOfficerTrevorAbney #NewOrleansPoliceDepartment pic.twitter.com/MsrtxZZfsY
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) April 11, 2023
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family and friends of @NOPDNews Officer Trevor Abney. He was wounded in the line of duty and we will forever be grateful for his service. Today, we lowered our flag to half staff in honor of his life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/dlO1YPny0x
— New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams (@orleansparishda) April 11, 2023
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney
New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana
EOW: Sunday, April 9, 2023#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/PvVQllXD9s
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) April 11, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of New Orleans Police Department Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Trevor Abney, your life mattered.
