Former police chief’s cause of death unconfirmed

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Complications related to a neurological disorder are believed, but not confirmed, to have been connected to the death of former Houma Police Chief Patrick Alan Boudreaux.


Boudreaux, 47, had been diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a spinal inflammation that attacks and destroys the insulating material that protects nerve fibers, in 2006. He died Thursday morning.


A native of Columbia, S.C., Boudreaux lived most of his life in Terrebonne Parish. He joined the Houma Police Department as a patrolman at the age of 20 on June 14, 1985 and remained with the department 24 years.

During his law enforcement career, Boudreaux secured extensive training and was presented multiple professional awards as he progressed through the ranks. In 1993 he was transferred to the detective division, where he focused on juvenile and family crimes.


In 1995, Boudreaux attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., and completed the program with a perfect score.


Boudreaux was promoted to head of internal affairs at HPD after completing FBI training, then became chief of police in April 30, 2001.

He was named to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Board in 2003.


During his career as Houma’s police chief, Boudreaux was credited with multiple accomplishments, including having designed a formula that made Terrebonne Parish eligible for $1.7 million in Department of Homeland Security funding. The financing was used to enhance a radio communications system for first responders in Terrebonne Parish.


In 2005, then Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco appointed Boudreaux to the Domestic Violence Task Force, the working of which became a training program that is now mandatory curriculum for law enforcement throughout the state.

Boudreaux was called upon as an instructor in multiple areas of police work during his career.


“The many years I worked with Pat, he always tried to do things that were best for everyone as a whole,” retired HPD Capt. and current Terrebonne Parish Councilman Greg Hood said. “He supported and backed me up in a lot of projects. My sympathy goes out to his family.”

Boudreaux’s career was not without controversy. During the latter years of his being chief, he was accused of sexual harassment by four female police department employees. He was placed on administrative leave in 2008 while the Louisiana State Police conducted an investigation, from which most claims against him were determined to be baseless. The sexual-harassment charges were dismissed with a $300,000 settlement between the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government and the chief’s accusers.

Boudreaux took a medical retirement from the police department in April 2010. He was succeeded by Todd Duplantis, first on an interim, then a permanent basis.

While Boudreaux had detractors during his days with the police department, he also had many people who appreciated his accomplishments. None more than Duplantis, who said they grew up together, went to school together and worked side-by-side for the Houma Police Department, having signed on within three months of one another.

“On behalf of myself, my wife, Darlene, and the entire Houma Police Department we want to send our condolences to his family and friends,” Duplantis said of Boudreaux.

“Pat Boudreaux served Terrebonne Parish admirably for many years with the Houma Police Department and ultimately as Houma Police Chief,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said. “We are all praying for him and his family members.”

“Chief Boudreaux’s contributions to the Houma Police Department and Terrebonne Parish will be both appreciated and remembered for years to come,” Terrebonne Parish Council Chairwoman Arlanda Williams said. “Anyone who offers his or herself to protect the lives of others is truly a selfless person and should be honored as such.”

Funeral services for Boudreaux were held Monday at the Living Word Church with burial following.

Boudreaux is survived by this wife, Monique Cloud Boudreaux, son, Alexander Boudreaux and daughter Sophie Boudreaux, all of Houma; mother Teda Collani Boudreaux of Houma; brother Robert Boudreaux (Sandy) and sister Diane Lirette (PatBabin) all of Houma; and multiple nieces and nephews. Boudreaux was preceded in death by his father Bob Boudreaux.

Former Houma Police Chief Patrick Alan Boudreaux is being remembered as one of the most highly trained people ever associated with law enforcement in Terrebonne Parish. Funeral services were held for held on Monday.

COURTESY PHOTO