Houma PD honors its finest at ceremony

Houma Police Chief Pat Boudreaux had nothing but praise for Houma Police officers at the department’s awards ceremony held Thursday afternoon at the Houma Public Safety

Complex.

“Everybody has done something,” Boudreaux said, addressing his officers. “Police officers won’t toot your own horn.”

For much of the hour-long ceremony, Boudreaux and Houma Police Public Information Officer Todd Duplantis read aloud letters of gratitude written by persons who had placed emergency calls to the department.

Nearly all the letter writers stated that the police do not receive sufficient credit from the public for their work.

One letter writer lauded the way three Houma police officers handled a delicate situation. She called the police after discovering her disturbed 18-year-old son was under the influence.

“I’m glad they didn’t use force,” she wrote. “Medical help was needed.”

“I don’t think police officers get the thanks they deserve,” she wrote.

Boudreaux singled out Investigative Services Bureau Commander Lt. Jude McElroy for recognition.

The detective bureau has a 100 percent solve rate on homicides, Boudreaux said

They’re the best detectives I’ve ever had,” he said.

Boudreaux read a letter written by a resident in the Bayou Tower Senior Center in Houma recognizing Officer Joseph Lodrigue for answering a call, which resulted in a marijuana bust.

“I’m sure people are quick to complain about the police department, but they should be ranked,” the writer stated.

One writer credited Lt. Duane Farmer with saving the life of a heart attack victim. Farmer found the man unconscious and performed CPR.

The victim survived the massive heart attack because of the officer’s actions, the writer said.

“We ask that Farmer be commended,” the letter stated.

Another writer thanked Sgt. Dana Coleman for his work locating a missing man.

“Coleman was courteous and respectful,” the writer said. “I compliment (Boudreaux) for your officer’s professionalism.”

“It was a quick search and return,” Boudreaux said. “It was good investigative work.”

He finished up the ceremony by praising three groups of officers who responded to medical emergencies.

Officers Michael Toups, Lawrence Arceneaux and Dexter Detiveaux received a special

Lifesaving Award after responding to a call for a man experiencing problems from undergoing triple bypass surgery.

“It is not often you get compliments for a job well done,” the man’s son wrote to the department.

Duplantis then read from a letter thanking Officers Joe Renfro, Celeste Theriot, Brad Cadiere and Noble Clement for their response to a medical emergency.

By using CPR, the writer stated, the four were “directly responsible for saving the victim.”

Boudreaux praised the officers for their work.

The police chief wrapped up the ceremony by commending Officers Toups, Clement, Cadiere, Jeff Lirette and Patrick Theriot for using a defibrillator to save a heart attack victim.

“Defibrillators are so important,” Boudreaux said.