Darrell Wayne Coker

Darrell Wayne Coker was born on Monday, January 9, 1967, in DeRidder, Louisiana to John Lee and Frances Peacock-Coker; he departed this life on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Beauregard Health Systems.

He grew up in DeRidder and was educated in the public school system of Beauregard Parish.  A graduate of DeRidder High School Class of 1985; he then attended McNeese State University.

Darrell grew up in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor J. W. Gibbs and the late Pastor George Harris.

Coker became an intricate part of the City of DeRidder in 1988 when he volunteered as fireman with the DeRidder Fire Department. He became a Reserve Police Officer in 1993, with the DeRidder Police Department.  Obviously, this was the place and profession he was meant to serve.  Coker became a full-time Officer in 1994, attending Calcasieu Parish Law Enforcement Training Academy, graduating in 1995.   He was a part of every rank in the patrol division, attaining the rank of Sergeant.  Sgt. Coker then left patrol shift supervisor position in 2009 and became the department’s first School Resource Officer (SRO).  He assisted in developing policies as a part of the new SRO assignment.  This SRO assignment was set up to work with schools within the city for a safe environment for our children.  He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2013 and in 2014. Lt. Coker was named “DeRidder Police Officer of the Year” for his dedication to the department and the City of DeRidder.  In 2016 Lt. Coker was reassigned to the Patrol Division as the Patrol Commander.  In 2020 he was reassigned as Training and Standards Officer where he made sure all officers received proper training.  This is one of the most important duties in the Department; officers are constantly trained and evaluated.  Lt. Coker will be missed by his department.

Loved ones that will hold dearly to Coker’s memory and the legacy he left are; his daughter Daneeka Coker-Sweet (Devon), Ragley, Louisiana; his grandchildren, Branson Sweet and Laila Sweet, his fiancé’ Shonda N. Coley, DeRidder, Louisiana; his siblings, Ruby Jean Peters, Lawton OK,  John Edward Coker (Barbara) Killeen, TX, Vaughn Walter Coker (Annette) Houston, TX, Ronnie Coker (Maysia) DeRidder, LA, Carl Ray Coker (Beverly) Atlanta, TX, Debora Coker-Garrick, Lake Charles, LA, Denise Jones (Terry) Leander, TX; a host of loving nieces and nephews and cousins; sister-in-law, Deborah Dotson-Coker; An aunt, Frankie Bernard, Houston, TX; The DeRidder, Police Department, City of DeRidder Employees, Beauregard Parish Sheriff Department; His close friends Tim Hardy and Thurman Buckley.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Freddie Coker and Terry Coker.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church in DeRidder, LA. Visitation will continue at 9:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 17, 2023, also at Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Reverend Paul Holmes and Reverend Keith Stevenson will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be The DeRidder Police Department. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Coker, Vaughn Coker, Ronnie Coker, Carl Coker, Devon Sweet. Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder, LA.