Tuesday, Dec. 7
December 7, 2010Thursday, Dec. 9
December 9, 2010Christmas came early for several members of the Louisiana State Police Troop C family this year.
Several current or former troopers were honored this past week at the annual Troop C Holiday and Awards Banquet, which was held in the Cajun Center in Raceland.
Taking home the Lifesaving Award for 2010 was Trooper Leeman Howard. To win that award, a trooper must, “act in a way which saves of prolongs the life of another.”
Howard did this on Jan. 21, 2010, when he attempted to stop a vehicle in the Troop C area that escaped him at a high speed, before eventually crashing into a water-filled ditch.
Howard jumped into the ditch and saved the lives of those inside the vehicle, freeing them from the vehicle before they drowned.
Howard also was given the honor of DWI Trooper of the Year, an award, which is given to the trooper who makes the highest number of DWI arrests on regular duty in a year.
Winning the 2010 Trooper of the Year Award was Senior Trooper Murray Buquet, who by the award’s criteria, “displayed outstanding qualities that exemplify a member of the Louisiana State Police and Troop C.”
Trooper Ben Thibodeaux was named the Troop C Traffic Enforcement Trooper of the Year, an award that is given to the trooper, “whose work ethic and determination shows an overall commitment to highway safety through a well rounded enforcement of our highway safety laws.”
In addition to current troopers, several support workers and former troopers were honored, as well.
Geraldine “Deanie” Mula was given separate awards for Support Person of the Year and the Richard Honeycutt Award for outstanding service and dedication to duty by a Communications Officer.
Mula’s awards will be her last, as she recently retired from her position as Troop C’s Communications Supervisor after more than 32 years of service.
Retired Troop C employees Ms. Jerry Rasberry and former Lieutenant David Landry were also honored, winning Retired Support Person of the Year and Retired Trooper of the Year, respectively.
KLRZ 100.3 FM in Larose was named Troop C’s Media of the Year and Grand Isle Shipyard took home the honor as the Troop C Business of the Year.
Trooper First Class Gilbert Dardar rounded out the awards, being named Troop C Trooper’s Association Member of the Year.
