Tri-parish troopers, civilians honored for extraordinary efforts

Without regard for his own safety, Louisiana State Police Trooper First Class Michael Stewart moved to disarm a gunman who fired into a crowd during an incident on July 27.

It was the bravery shown that earned Stewart a Medal of Valor and a nomination for Louisiana State Police Trooper of the Year.

Stewart and several other Tri-parish law enforcement authorities – three troopers and two Houma Police Department officers – were among those honored at the recent state police Fall Awards Ceremony.

Stewart was assisting the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office with a “shots fired” call in the outskirts of Houma July 27. As authorities were investigating the shooting, Stewart saw a group of people beginning what Troop C spokesman Trooper First Class Gilbert Dardar described as a “hostile exchange.”

As Stewart approached the group, he noticed a man kneeling behind a van – a pistol in his hand, Dardar said. Stewart immediately drew his weapon.

As a single shot was fired, Stewart – believing the shot had been aimed at the crowd – fearlessly moved toward the armed man, Dardar said. As he approached the gunman, a second man stood up directly in his line of fire. He pushed the man to the ground, while continuing to command the gunman to drop his weapon, Dardar added.

The gunman finally complied, dropping the gun and attempting to run away.

Sheriff’s deputies caught and arrested the man. The .32-caliber gun he was carrying was recovered.

Lawmen later learned the second man who stood in Stewart’s line of fire had shot into the crowd, Dardar said. The gunman behind the van was about to return fire when the trooper intervened.

“For his heroic and fearless actions… Trooper First Class Stewart was awarded the Medal of Valor,” Dardar said.

The Medal of Valor honors a person who, while endangering their own life, performs a brave attempt to rescue someone or becomes involved in a life-or-death situation during the performance of their sworn duties.

In addition to Stewart, Troop C’s Trooper First Class Keith Redmond, Sgt. Rodney Hyatt and Senior Trooper Craig Rhodes and Houma Police’s Lt. Jude McElroy and Sgt. Dana Coleman were given Livesaving Awards. Six civilians – Billy Cantrell, Doug Danos, John Delatte Sr., Perry Felarise, Tal Griffin and Shannon Solar – were also honored

A Lifesaving Award is given to authorities or civilians that perform an act that saves or prolongs someone’s life beyond reasonable expectations, Dardar said.

Redmond was recognized for assisting with two separate incidents atop the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge: one unsuccessfully, the second successfully.

On March 29, David Ray Mitchell climbed on the bridge and threatened to jump. A first responder crisis negotiator, Redmond attempted to talk Mitchell out of jumping. Mitchell was despondent after committing a double-homicide in Houma.

The second incident, on May 10, involved another suicidal man on the bridge. Redmond was one of the first responders on the scene and initialized dialogue with the man, Dardar said.

The man eventually was talked back over the guardrail and was united with his girlfriend. He was then transported to the hospital for evaluation, the spokesman said.

Rhodes, Hyatt, Coleman and McElroy were also recognized for their efforts during both incidents.

“Considering the tragic outcome … a month earlier, it is without a doubt that this life was saved by TFC Redmond’s quick response and through the efforts of the Crisis Negotiation Team,” Dardar said. “We congratulate the personnel for their professionalism, dedication, attention to detail and teamwork.”

The final incident, on Sept. 5, ended in the tragic death of a Tri-parish man. When the man’s car plunged into Bayou Lafourche, flipped and trapped the driver, six area civilians jumped into the water to pull the man and his wife from inside the submerged car.

Sadly, the man died; his wife received only moderate injuries, Dardar said. “Because of these six bystanders, a life was saved. It was a heroic act on their part and their actions saved a life.”

“Each day, state troopers risk their lives for the safety of the public,” he added.