Lafayette, LA — For the last two decades, Deputy Clyde Kerr III has spent his life serving others in law enforcement and the military. He is not your run of the mill officer as Kerr obtained a degree in criminal justice before entering service and has received multiple commendations over the years. He also frequently spoke out about injustice, the drug war, and police accountability. He was one of the good ones. On Monday, Kerr’s public service came to an end, and so did his life.
This story is particularly heavy for me as I personally knew Clyde Kerr. He was the resource officer at my daughter’s school and a great guy all around. I felt it a prudent gesture to share with the world why Clyde walked out in front of the Lafayette Sheriff’s Department on Monday and took his own life. It is what he wanted. Sadly, however, he left behind a hole in the community as he was a father and adored by so many children and a much needed voice of reason in so much turmoil.
Clyde Kerr was a good cop and, unfortunately, this system is set up in a way that it drives good cops from its ranks. Before going to work yesterday, Kerr recorded a video “suicide note” to let the world know why he did what he did.
“I can no longer serve a system that doesn’t give a damn about me or people like me.”
