The permanent marker recently replaced and stolen again will be replaced with a temporary marker honoring the law enforcement officers who took down the infamous Bonnie and Clyde in Bienville Parish.
The marker was replaced in October 2024, and was subsequently stolen again earlier this year. The Bienville Parish Police Jury, in its April meeting, agreed to replace the stolen marker with a temporary one at the ambush site.
The issue, they say, is how to keep it from being stolen again. Tourism Director Deanna Curtis approached the police jury, saying they are looking at a concrete monument with the memorial etched into the monument.
Police jury officials say it will cost roughly $100 for the temporary marker.
“We’re looking into prices for a monument to put out there instead of the plaque that was there,” she said. “We think that will keep someone from stealing it again. A plaque like the one we had will be placed out there in time for the Bonnie and Clyde Festival.”
Curtis expects to have quotes for the police jury at the May meeting.
The cost will be shared between the police jury and the Arcadia Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce.
The plaque was replaced with funds from the Bienville Parish Police Jury and the Arcadia Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce. The monument, which was adorned by a plaque, paid tribute to the law enforcement officers who ended the infamous couple’s crime spree. The couple was ambushed by law enforcement and lost their lives following a robbery and murder spree.
It was first heisted in April 2023, and for 17 months, visitors to the site saw the original granite marker, which says, “At this site, May 23, 1934, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were killed by enforcement officers.” To the right of the granite marker, they saw a concrete stand where another plaque had been mounted. The location of the stolen original plaque remains a mystery.
The replacement marker said, “On this site, May 23, 1934, at 9:15 a.m., the famous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow met their demise at the hands of these dedicated law enforcement officials. Lest we forget these brave and vigilant conservators of the peace.” Included on the plaque is the famous photo of the ambush posse.