BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The family of an Iberville Parish sheriff’s deputy who died in October is honoring him this Christmas Eve. They will hold a traditional bonfire along the Mississippi River.
Deputy Charles Riley and Deputy Brett Stassi Jr. went to the hospital after a shooting at the Iberville Parish courthouse earlier this fall. Riley later died from his injuries.
Riley’s family said their bonfire tradition started decades ago. Relatives confirm they’ve built it every year since at least 1987. What started as a small family gathering has turned into a big Christmas Eve tradition. It now brings together relatives, friends, and visitors from all over Louisiana and beyond…