2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 49
BY SENATOR MILLIGAN
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death
of DeSoto Parish Deputy Donna Richardson-Below.
WHEREAS, Donna Richardson was born on March 10, 1976, in Shreveport,
Louisiana, to the union of Jessie and Sammie J. Foster Richardson; and
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2020, at the age of forty-three, Deputy Donna
Richardson-Below transitioned to her heavenly home as a result of a tragic two-vehicle crash
while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Donna Richardson was reared in a close-knit family and taught about
God at an early age; and
WHEREAS, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the New
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Arcadia, Louisiana, under the pastorate of the Rev. Norah
Banks Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Donna Richardson was very active in her church with the youth
department and continued to serve and be faithful to the Lord until she transitioned from her
earthly life; and
WHEREAS, she graduated from Arcadia High School, attended Wiley College in
Marshall, Texas, and later obtained her degree in criminal justice from the Ruston
Vocational Technical College; and
WHEREAS, Donna Richardson worked as a probation and parole officer with the
Louisiana Department of Corrections for sixteen years and five months; and
WHEREAS, she became a Deputy with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office in January
2019; and
WHEREAS, her marriage to Terry Below is described by her friends as a "love at
first sight" romance; and
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WHEREAS, she is preceded in death by her father, Jessie Richardson; her brother,
Tyrone Richardson; and four sisters, Sammie Kay, Johnetta, Beverly Ann, and Genell
Richardson; and
WHEREAS, she leaves to genuinely cherish her memories her husband, Terry
Below; stepdaughter, Terineshia Lard; granddaughters, Aniyah and A'Myrah Shields;
mother, Sammie Foster Richardson; and a host of sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and
friends who loved her dearly; and
WHEREAS, DeSoto Parish Deputy Donna Richardson-Below was often described
as having been a loving wife, beautiful daughter, devoted aunt, adorable sister, and "beacon
of light" by her co-workers, and it is certain that her earthly presence will be missed but
never forgotten.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death
of Deputy Donna Richardson-Below of DeSoto Parish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to her
husband, Terry Below.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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