The Thin Blue Line

When Pineville, Louisiana, police officer Billy Ray Alvarado was nabbed by a neighboring force for allegedly breaking into a house, it wasn't his first time on the wrong side of the law. In fact, it was the third time in three years that the 16-year veteran had been arrested. Alvarado was first arrested in July 2000 following a disturbance involving his family members. He was cleared in the case. In February 2002, he was arrested after a high-speed chase on charges of driving while intoxicated, running two red lights, and speeding. Alvarado was demoted after that arrest. At the time of his latest arrest, Alvarado was on administrative leave following a complaint that he violated department rules. The nature of that charge has not been made public.