Gerald W. Bellard’s 16th arrest in the past year may be his last.

Bellard, 53, was charged Monday with second-degree murder in the beating death of his long-time friend Delores Wilkes, 52.

He allegedly beat her after she slapped him during a drinking session at her 111 Prairie St. residence. Following the beating, police said, he walked a couple of blocks to his home at 110 Goose.

The two, according to reports, were having an apparent quiet evening until the violence broke out.

Bellard, some officers say, is an example of what they deal with almost every day - a man or a woman with a demon on their back, unable shake it.

In Bellard’s case, it’s alcohol, a factor, they say, in every one of his arrests. Alcohol and/or narcotics are base factors in a great majority of cases Eunice police work.

A couple of years back, they said, Bellard underwent treatment for a while and appeared to be doing better, then relapsed.

He was arrested twice in February in a period of four days.

On a Saturday, he was booked for disturbing the peace after officers were called to the scene after reports of a man waving a knife.

He bonded out, and on the following Monday was arrested again, this time charged with disturbing the peace and entry/remaining on premises after forbidden.

According to records he has been charged with the following in the past 12 months:

October 13, 2010, disturbing the peace, simple assault, battery on a correctional officers and resisting an officer.

Sept. 26, remaining after forbidden, simple assault, disturbing the peace.

Sept. 21, disturbing the peace.

Sept. 17 disturbing the peace.

Sept. 7, simple battery, aggravated assault, simple assault, public intimidation and disturbing the peace by intoxication.

July 14, criminal damage to property.

June 5, disturbing the peace.

April 16, disturbing the peace.

Feb. 27, disturbing the peace.

Jan. 15, disturbing the peace.

Jan. 13, disturbing the peace, resisting arrest.

Nov 23, 2009, disturbing the peace, probation violation.

Nov. 7, 2009, obstruction of a highway, resisting arrest.

City court records show the following for Bellard:

Oct. 25, 2010, guilty of three counts disturbing the peace, entry/remaining after forbidden, simple assault, 15 days;

Oct. 18, 2010, disturbing the peace, simple assault, battery, resisting arrest, 30 days.

July 12, guilty of disturbing the peace, 25 hours in jail;

April 26, guilty of disturbing the peace, 30 days in jail;

April 19, guilty of disturbing the peace, 60 days in jail;

Nov. 9, 2009, guilty of obstruction of highway, disturbing the peace, 48 days in jail.

June 8, 2009, failed to appear for trial on charges of disturbing the peace, battery, bench warrant issued.