Candlelight Vigil Held for Local Captain
February 1, 2020
What’s your sure sign of spring?
February 2, 2020
Nine cadets graduated from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) Regional Training Academy’s 35th Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training course.
“The graduates endured grueling training under the leadership of the academy’s director, TPSO Capt. Shane Fletcher, along with TPSO Lt. Jamie Trahan and Houma PD PFC Tim Lucas,” reads a press release by TPSO.
On Jan. 29, friends and family members joined the graduates at the academy for a gathering that included the pinning of badges by their chosen family members.
32nd Judicial District of Louisiana Judge Juan Pickett delivered a keynote address in which he congratulated the graduates while acknowledging the dangers they face on the street, and the importance of enforcing the law while protecting the rights of those they police.
Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff-elect Tim Soignet also addressed the graduates.
Eight of the cadets are Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies and one, Adam Guillot, is a Houma City Police officer.
Leland Authement; Robert Ezell; Dexter Gaspard; Matthew Haines; Johnny Ivey; Justin LeBlanc; Landon Siglar and Andrew Watzek.
Three special awards were given to graduates who demonstrated outstanding achievements. Deputy Watzek received recognition in the categories of physical fitness and also marksmanship, based on scores tabulated by the academy staff. The winner of the class’s special academic award was Deputy LeBlanc. TPSO Sgt. Blake Guidry, resource officer assigned to H.L. Bourgeois High, performed an a cappella rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” following presentation of colors by the TPSO-HPD Honor Guard. Dy. Haines led the Pledge of Allegiance and Dy. Gaspard conducted the opening prayer.
