St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana - Former St. Tammany Sheriff's deputy, Mary Mayo, was left paralyzed in June 2007 when a tree crashed onto a patrol car she was riding in during a funeral procession for a fellow deputy. Her fiance, Sgt. Linden "Beau" Raimer of STPSO, who was at the wheel, tragically lost his life in the incident.

Mayo started her job as a dispatcher at the Sheriff's Office in October 2005. Following the 2007 accident that resulted in her paralysis, she retired due to medical disability.

Mayo died at her residence on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The Coroner's Office of St. Tammany Parish determined her death was the result of complications related to injuries she suffered in a 2007 accident.

Sheriff Randy Smith of St. Tammany Parish is requesting prayers following the death of the former deputy.

“I am saddened to hear of Mary’s passing,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “She served the people of St. Tammany Parish with pride and has fought hard to overcome her injuries.  She will be missed by those who worked with and knew her. My condolences go out to her family.”