By Aidan Mccahill
The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate
BATON ROUGE — A veteran Baton Rouge police officer died Sunday in the hospital where he has been treated since being rammed by a pickup truck two months ago in a reportedly intentional assault.
Sgt. Caleb Eisworth was a decorated officer, having served for 23 years, joining the motorcycle division in 2008. He received multiple awards for heroism in the line of duty, including the Medal of Valor — the highest honor bestowed by the Baton Rouge Police Department — for having pulled a motorist from a burning vehicle while off-duty.
Eisworth was critically injured June 16 in a crash that happened around 11 a.m. on Joor Road , near Prescott Road .
He was on his motorcycle going to a work-related escort assignment when a driver, later identified as Gad Black , struck him with his pickup truck. Black allegedly had followed the officer for a short distance before striking him.
In the weeks after Eisworth’s injury, the Baton Rouge community came out to support the officer, showing up in large numbers at a jambalaya fundraiser put on by first responders, as well as donating blood.
Last month, surgeons at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center amputated both of Eisworth’s legs above the knee, and his family expressed hope after his vitals improved, posting on social media to thank the hospital doctors and staff for the care they were giving him.
Eisworth is survived by a wife and daughter.
Police Chief Thomas Morse shared the news of Eisworth’s death with “profound sadness” in a statement on Sunday.
“Caleb was an amazing officer and a good man. He spent seven weeks fighting hard to overcome his injuries, but ultimately lost his battle today,” Morse said.
“I ask that our community continue to lift the Eisworth family and the men and women of our Baton Rouge Police Department up in prayer.”
In the days after the attack, Black, 41, of Baton Rouge , was booked on a count of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer in connection with the crash. Counts of hate crimes against law enforcement and resisting an officer were later added.
Black’s charges are expected be upgraded to first-degree murder. District Attorney Hillar Moore said Sunday that he will likely present the case to a grand jury and seek a death penalty for Black, who remains in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison without bond.
“I will sit down with the family to receive their input,” he said.
Louisiana Attorney General Murrill said Sunday her office will offer Moore “any support he needs” in seeking the death penalty for Black. She also shared her condolences to Eisworth’s family, friends and colleagues.
“His memory and impact on the Baton Rouge community will live on forever,” she said.
A 19th Judicial District Court Commissioner appointed a sanity commission to examine Black’s fitness to stand trial. Moore said his decision to seek the death penalty would largely depend on the outcome of that commission.
The commissioner, Nicole Robinson , also ordered Black to return to court on Sept. 3 , to appear before a district judge for a bond review.
Black’s girlfriend, Asia Raby, 40, was also arrested, booked on counts of obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.
Black’s family issued a public apology to Sgt. Eisworth after the attack.
“On behalf of our entire family, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt apologies to you and your loved ones for the injuries you sustained on June 16, 2025 ,” the family said, in part. “Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.”
Black has a lengthy history of arrests, including incidents involving violence against police officers.
In 2014, Black was arrested for trying to ram Baton Rouge Police vehicles during a 4th of July chase involving Baton Rouge Police Chief Morse , who was an officer at the time.
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