An Editorial - Reward Offered [Front Page Post Signal] Nov. 18th, 1975

On Wednesday, November 12, [1975], between the hours of 4:30 and 5 p.m. one of the most horrendous crimes ever committted in Acadia Parish history was perpetrated in an empty drainage canal a few miles southeast of Crowley, while many of us were driving home from work or preparing for our usual evening meal. At that spot, an apparently unwarranted execution took place. A young, 16-year-old boy was hog tied and beaten to within inches of his life, only to succumb to the critical injuries he sustained in the beating later that night.

Ever since the night of Wednesday, November 12, the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Department and the Crowley City Police have launched a full scale, round-the-clock search for the person or persons responsible for this barbaric act. Quite frankly, both law enforcement agencies have admitted that this case has baffled even the experts and that there are very few clues available to pursue, to lead to solving the murder.

Therefore, it is with the full knowledge and cooperation of the Sheriff's Department and the Crowley City Police that Radio Station KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal take an active part in tracking down the responsible criminals.

We believe someone out there witnessed the bludgeoning of young Ricky Dale Mire and is afraid to come forth because of fear for his life or that of persons close to him. We, KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal, have taken it upon ourselves to jointly offer a reward of $500 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the barbarians who committed this crime. Rest assured that if you voluntarily give us these facts, your identity will remain anonymous. If you believe you can contribute the necessary information which could solve this case, you are urged to contact either Sheriff Elton Arceneaux or Police Chief J. Allen Castille. They in turn will advise us as to the authenticity of your information. Again, let us remind you that this entire transaction will be handled with the strictest confidence to protect you.

Any other businessmen wishing to enhance the reward in order to insure a speedy sollution to this most bizarre incident can contribute any amount by contacting either The Post-Signal or KSIG.

We've all heard of The Charles Manson Massacres in which persons were mercilessly butchered and shot for no apparent reason other than the victims represented an element of society foreign to the beliefs of this group. Although, The Manson Murders have no connection with this incident, it is interesting to note, however, that some person or persons in the same frame of mind as was Charles Manson may be walking in our midst. We feel that the responsible parties must be brought to justice and our environment returned to one of peace and tranquility instead of chaos and tenseness.

Radio Station KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal urge anyone with information which will help solve the savage crime to come forth with it as soon as possible. Again, if the informant's knowledge of the crime leads to the arrest and convition of the murderer, we will jointly give that person a $500 reward.