Thomas M. Alexander Memorial Highway: A man who risked his life for others.

Sergeant Thomas M. Alexander died in the line of duty. On September 11th, 2010, police received a 911 alert for a home invasion. The resident was outside the city limits for the Rayville Police department, but Sgt. Alexander was the closest to the scene so he took the call. The person who called 911 was home alone when she heard glass shatter. When Sgt. Alexander arrived at the scene, he made sure the victim was safe and went inside to apprehend the suspects. When he got to the back room, he approached the closest where he was shot four times. Richland Parish Sheriff Charles McDonald stated in 2010 that, “ He was ambushed. He told the victim to run. He basically saved her life.” Three suspects were arrested. Robert J. Walker of Rayville was arrested at the scene. He was found hiding under a bed in the home. Two hours after the shooting, Anthony D. Oatis of Monroe was arrested. The final suspect, Richard L. Long Jr. of Monroe was arrested the next day. All three suspects were booked into the Richland Parish Detention Center on first-degree murder of a police officer and aggravated burglary charges.

Sgt. Alexander served for a total of twenty-years on the police force. His first seven years of duty was with the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office and the final thirteen years was with the Rayville Police Department. Many of his fellow policemen miss him very deeply. On September 13th 2010, “The News-Star” paper, out of Monroe, Louisiana, interviewed a few people days after the death of Sgt. Alexander. Rayville Police Chief, Willie Robinson, worked with Sgt. Alexander for over thirty years. He says that, “This time ain’t easy. Tommy was like a son to me, he’ll be greatly missed, I promise. He died a hero.”

In 2013, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development officially named a section of Louisiana Highway 80 in Rayville, Louisiana “Thomas M. Alexander Memorial Highway”. The section of highway is from the intersection of Bob’s Lane and Highway 80 and stretches east to the intersection of Orchard Lane and Highway 80. This section is approximately three miles long. The memorial highway passes through downtown Rayville, Louisiana. HB No.171 was presented to the Louisiana House of Representatives. It stated that, “Designates a portion of La. Highway 80 in Richland Parish, from its intersection with Bob's Lane east to its intersection with Orchard Lane, as the "Thomas M. Alexander Memorial Highway". A section of this dedicated road is also by where Sgt. Alexander lost his life, while saving others.