August 5
August 5, 2008
Sarah Maria Domangue
August 7, 2008
Ignoring recent allegations of wrong-doing in the Houma Police Department, Terrebonne Parish’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People gave the city’s top cop its highest honor.
Terrebonne Parish NAACP President Jerome Boykin presented Houma Police Chief Pat Boudreaux the organization’s President’s Award. Boudreaux, who remains out on paid leave, was on hand for the presentation at the 26th annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet Saturday at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
“The NAACP is not concerned about what complaints have been made against Chief Boudreaux. His record is unblemished,” Boykin said.
“Furthermore, this NAACP will do all that we can to see that Chief Patrick Boudreaux remains the chief of the Houma Police Department,” he said.
A clearly emotional Boudreaux told the crowd, “This is the best award I have ever received. It’s the best because I got it for who I am, what I stand for and what I believe. It wasn’t for something I did, and that’s what makes it so special.”
Boudreaux said when Boykin told him he was this year’s recipient, “I told him, ‘What about the letters? You need to read what the letters say.’ In turn, Jerome responded, ‘I don’t need to read anything. I know who you are. I know what you stand for.'”
The crowd gave Boudreaux a standing ovation.
The “letters” the police chief spoke of surfaced shortly before the start of summer. Addressed to the Houma-Terrebonne Civil Service Board, the missives, penned by members of Boudreaux’s department, accuse him of sexual harassment and one instance of alleged improper use of police equipment.
As the letters came before the board, Boudreaux went on a medical leave of absence to receive treatment for a spinal cord injury, which required physical therapy and, previously, chemotherapy and radiation.
As the date of his return to the job arrived in July, Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet placed Boudreaux on a 60-day paid administrative leave until the accusations could be investigated.
Boykin told the crowd on Saturday that the accusations didn’t arise until the chief’s illness resurfaced.
“You know, all last year and the year before in Jefferson Parish, there was a sheriff sick with leukemia,” Boykin said, alluding to the late Sheriff Harry Lee. “Not once while he was seeking treatment were there allegations thrown against him. Not once while he was sick did someone start a movement to recall Harry Lee.”
“Whoever is doing this against this man, whom I believe is one of the best chiefs we’ve ever had, better watch out. It’s a vicious attack,” Boykin warned. “Several officers saw their boss’ sickness as a weakness. They’d better watch out.”
Also at Saturday’s banquet, Boykin was presented $35,000 for the local NAACP branch’s scholarship program – $15,000 from Olive Garden and $20,000 from Outback, both in Houma. Since Boykin took the helm as president of the organization in 1995, the Terrebonne NAACP has awarded more than $250,000 to college-bound graduating seniors.
Hollywood actor Louis Gossett Jr. served as guest speaker and native son and actor Cordell Moore was master of ceremonies.
In his keynote address, Gossett saluted the 2008 graduating class. “Nothing is impossible,” he told graduates.
At one point, looking out at the mixed races in the crowd, Gossett said, “Look at yourselves. How beautiful this is.”
Gossett added, “Somewhere along on the line, this country has placed oil as its most valuable commodity. I disagree. I believe it is our children. What we plant in them is how the future will grow.”
Later in the evening, Lafourche Parish President Craig Webre deputized Gossett. The “Roots” star was given an honorary commission.
Also, Claudet presented him with keys to Houma and Terrebonne Parish.
