January 2014 - Louisiana Sheriffs` Association

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The Official Publication of Louisiana's Chief Law Enforcement Officers
WINTER ISSUE
JANUARY 2014
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Celebrates 75 Years
with Dedication of New Headquarters
by Lauren Labbé Meher, Communications Director
The new 18,000 square foot headquarters of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, located at 1175 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA.
Photo Courtesy of Todd Landry, Grace & Hebert Architects.
O
n April 7, 2013, the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA)
officially opened the doors of its new headquarters on
1175 Nicholson Drive for the first time for the building’s
dedication ceremony. The celebration was particularly significant
because it took place almost exactly 75 years from the LSA’s
creation on April 3, 1938. Over 150 attendees were present for the
75th Anniversary and Dedication including elected state officials,
sheriffs, and law enforcement leaders from throughout the state.
Assistant executive director Sheriff Gary Bennett (Ret.)
acknowledged the association’s four executive directors since its
inception including Jean Bell, R.B. “Bucky” Rives Jr., Hal Turner,
and current executive director, Michael A. Ranatza. Executive
director Ranatza shared a brief history of the LSA noting that the
association has now known 68 presidents and that five of the LSA’s
presidents have gone on to serve as president of the National Sheriffs’
Association (NSA). They are: Sheriff N.H. deBretton, East Baton
Rouge; Sheriff Bryan Clemmons, East Baton Rouge; Sheriff C.A.
Griffon, Iberville; Sheriff Gerald Wattigny, Iberia; and Sheriff Don
Hathaway, Caddo. Additionally, two current members of the LSA
have served on the NSA’s executive board: Lafourche Parish Sheriff
Craig Webre also served as NSA president, and St. Charles Parish
Sheriff Greg Champagne currently serves as third vice president of
the NSA and will continue to move up the ranks to presidency.
Ranatza emphasized that while we look ahead to the future, it
is equally important to take time to look back. He then pointed out
a few other unique historical facts about the LSA’s membership. In
1996 St. Martin Parish Sheriff Charles A. Fuselier Jr., was selected
National Sheriff of the Year by
continued on back cover
Sheriffs’ Educational Scholarship Recipients Announced
by Lauren Labbé Meher
L
ouisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program
Chairman Greg Champagne, St. Charles Parish Sheriff,
announced that sixty-nine graduating high school seniors
have been awarded scholarships provided by the Sheriffs’
Scholarship Program for the 2013 academic school year.
Sheriffs’ scholarships, worth $500 each, are made possible
by the citizen members of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary
Membership Program. They are awarded to students from each
parish where the sheriff is affiliated with the Program. While some
sheriffs divide the $500 scholarship into two, $250 scholarships,
other sheriffs enhance scholarship benefits to larger denominations
with funds they provide themselves.
To obtain information about the Louisiana Sheriffs’
Scholarship Program, contact your local sheriff’s office.
ACADIA PARISH
Sheriff Wayne Melancon
Recipient: Mariana Dupont
BOSSIER PARISH
Sheriff Julian C. Whittington
Recipient: Katherine B. Kling
LAFAYETTE PARISH
Sheriff Mike Neustrom
Recipient: Garrett S. Lavergne
ST. JAMES PARISH
Sheriff Willy Martin
Recipient: Kaitlin Arrah Beier
ALLEN PARISH
Sheriff Douglas L. Hebert, III
Recipient: Tyron Smith
CADDO PARISH
Sheriff Steve Prator
Recipient: Ansley Burlison
LAFOURCHE PARISH
Sheriff Craig Webre
Recipient: Brayeah Alleman
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH
Sheriff Michael Tregre
Recipient: Andrew Brady
ASCENSION PARISH
Sheriff Jeff Wiley
Recipient: Joseph C. Bollich
CALCASIEU PARISH
Sheriff Tony Mancuso
Recipient: Megan Naquin
ST. LANDRY PARISH
Sheriff Bobby Guidroz
Recipient: Katelyn Boudreaux
ASSUMPTION PARISH
Sheriff Mike Waguespack
Recipient: Kesley Martin
CALDWELL PARISH
Sheriff Steve May
Recipient: Ivy Hatten
LASALLE PARISH
Sheriff Scott Franklin
Recipients: Kaitlin Toler
JonPatrick G. Fryer
ST. MARTIN PARISH
Sheriff Ronny Theriot
Recipient: Tori Dalfrey
AVOYELLES PARISH
Sheriff Doug Anderson
Recipient: Justin L. Kinble
CAMERON PARISH
Sheriff Ronald Johnson
Recipient: Unavailable at press time.
LINCOLN PARISH
Sheriff Mike Stone
Recipient: Savannah Chrisman
Shelby Webb
BEAUREGARD PARISH
Sheriff Ricky Moses
Recipient: Zachary P. Brady
CATAHOULA PARISH
Sheriff James Kelly
Recipient: DARE Program
BIENVILLE PARISH
Sheriff John Ballance
Recipient: Jacob T. Anderson
CLAIBORNE PARISH
Sheriff Ken Bailey
Recipients: Zachary T. Wilson
Mary L. Clark
SHERIFF
LOUISIANA
The Publication of Louisiana’s
Chief Law Enforcement Officers
WINTER ISSUE
JANUARY 2014
Publisher
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Educational Foundation
Executive Advisors
Executive Director
Michael A. Ranatza
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association
Assistant Executive Director
Sheriff Gary Bennett (Ret.)
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association
Editor
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Lauren Labbé Meher
Executive Board of Directors
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Educational Foundation
Chairman
Sheriff Greg Champagne, St. Charles Parish
Secretary-Treasurer
Sheriff Bud Torres, Pointe Coupee Parish
Sheriff Brett Stassi, Iberville Parish
Sheriff Talmadge Bunch, East Feliciana Parish
Sheriff Tony Mancuso, Calcasieu Parish
Sheriff Jeff Wiley, Ascension Parish
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, East Baton Rouge Parish
LOUISIANA SHERIFF is the official publication of the Louisiana
Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program and Louisiana Sheriffs’
Educational Foundation and is made possible by contributing
members. It is distributed to members, statewide sheriffs,
criminal justice professionals and policy makers.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
1175 Nicholson Drive, Suite 101
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Correction: An incorrect photo was published
of St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Michael
Tregre in our February 2013 issue.
The Louisiana Sheriff regrets the error.
2 LOUISIANA SHERIFF
CONCORDIA PARISH
Sheriff Kenneth Hedrick
Recipient: Kaley E. Baker
DESOTO PARISH
Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle
Recipient: Qusala Johnson
LIVINGSTON PARISH
Sheriff Jason Ard
Recipient: Cody Brown
MADISON PARISH
Sheriff Larry Cox
Recipient: Demeatre` D. Young
MOREHOUSE PARISH
Sheriff Mike Tubbs
Recipient: Francis L. Holmes
NATCHITOCHES PARISH
Sheriff Victor Jones
Recipient: Daja S. Williams
ST. MARY PARISH
Sheriff Mark Hebert
Recipient: Zachary T. Aucoin
ST. TAMMANY PARISH
Sheriff Jack Strain
Recipient: Ashleigh A. Ranatza
TANGIPAHOA PARISH
Sheriff Daniel Edwards
Recipient: Aisha L. Cook
TENSAS PARISH
Sheriff Rickey Jones
Recipient: Chelsea M, Matthews
ORLEANS PARISH
Sheriff Marlin Gusman
Recipient: Roderick O. Clark
TERREBONNE PARISH
Sheriff Jerry Larpenter
Recipient: Elizabeth A. LeBoeuf
OUACHITA PARISH
Sheriff Jay Russell
Recipient: Brittany T. Derouen
UNION PARISH
Sheriff Dusty Gates
Recipient: Ashten V. Taylor
EAST CARROLL PARISH
Sheriff Wydette Williams
Recipient: Dashoneca Lee
PLAQUEMINES PARISH
Sheriff Lonnie Greco
Recipient: Dillon Robeaux
VERMILION PARISH
Sheriff Mike Couvillon
Recipient: Krislyn A. Romero
EAST FELICIANA PARISH
Sheriff Talmadge Bunch
Recipient: Ashley E. Hurst
POINTE COUPEE PARISH
Sheriff Beauregard “Bud” Torres
Recipient: Meredith Witty
EVANGELINE PARISH
Sheriff Eddie Soileau
Recipient: Adam K. Deshotel
VERNON PARISH
Sheriff Sam Craft
Recipient: Kaylee Robison
RAPIDES PARISH
Sheriff William Earl Hilton
Recipient: Maurtavius K. Evans
FRANKLIN PARISH
Sheriff Kevin Cobb
Recipient: Allison Ogden
WASHINGTON PARISH
Sheriff Randy Seal
Recipient: Colby K. Spears
RED RIVER PARISH
Sheriff Glen Edwards
Recipients: Dustin L. Allen
Taylor M. Shelton
WEBSTER PARISH
Sheriff Gary Sexton
Recipient: Courtney Mitchell
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux
Recipient: Ashley N. Schoonmaker
GRANT PARISH
Sheriff Steven McCain
Recipient: Kristen L. Huntsberry
IBERIA PARISH
Sheriff Louis Ackal
Recipient: Natalie B. Segura
RICHLAND PARISH
Sheriff Lee Harrell
Recipient: Keith C. Crnkovic
SABINE PARISH
Sheriff Ronny Richardson
Recipient:Brennan C. Malmay
WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH
Sheriff Mike Cazes
Recipients: Jared Veal
Kimi T. Clopton
Sidney Guillory
ST. BERNARD PARISH
Sheriff James Pohlmann
Recipient: David M. DiMaggio, Jr.
WEST CARROLL PARISH
Sheriff Jerry Philley
Recipients: Mary Strong
Mary G. Freeman
JACKSON PARISH
Sheriff Andy Brown
Recipient: Caleb B. Greer
ST. CHARLES PARISH
Sheriff Greg Champagne
Recipient: Alexis Heard
WEST FELICIANA PARISH
Sheriff Austin Daniel
Recipient: Jada K. White
JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH
Sheriff Ivy Woods
Recipient: Morgan B. Lemelle
ST. HELENA PARISH
Sheriff Nathaniel “Nat” Williams
Recipient: Aliyah Zeien
WINN PARISH
Sheriff Cranford Jordan
Recipient: Rebecca Hodnett
IBERVILLE PARISH
Sheriff Brett Stassi
Recipients: Kennedy Dupree
Colby D. Landry
Sheriffs Elect 2013-2014 Board at Annual Meeting
by Lauren Labbé Meher
C
alcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso has been elected
president of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association for the
2013-2014 term, succeeding Union Parish Sheriff Bob
Buckley, according to Michael Ranatza, Executive Director of
the LSA. Sheriff Mancuso will lead the Association’s sixtyfour chief law enforcement officers and 14,000 deputies.
Sheriff Mancuso’s election and installation, along with
that of the Association’s Executive Board and Committee,
occurred on July 18, 2013 during the LSA’s Annual Sheriffs’
and Wardens’ Training Conference. During the conference,
the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program also
recognized East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and
Cameron Parish Sheriff Ron Johnson for their performances
in the 2013 Acquisition and Renewal Campaign. Sheriff
Gautreaux holds the distinction of generating the highest parish
revenue in this year’s campaign, and Sheriff Johnson received
the highest percentage response rate. Attorney General Buddy
Caldwell presided over the installation ceremonies. The four
day conference consisted of business meetings, legislative
updates and training sessions.
Sheriff Mancuso and the Association’s newly elected officers
and board members will serve until July 2014 and they include:
President
Sheriff Tony Mancuso
First Vice President Sheriff Mike Waguespack
Second Vice President Sheriff Mike Stone
Secretary-Treasurer Sheriff Sid Gautreaux
Sergeant at Arms
Sheriff Mike Couvillon
Calcasieu Parish
Assumption Parish
Lincoln Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish
Vermilion Parish
1st District
Sheriff Newell Normand Jefferson Parish
1st District Alternate Sheriff Jack Strain, Jr.
St. Tammany Parish
2nd District
Sheriff Marlin Gusman
Orleans Parish
3rd District
Sheriff Jimmy Pohlmann St. Bernard Parish
3rd District Alternate Sheriff Mark Hebert
St. Mary Parish
4th District
Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle DeSoto Parish
4th District Alternate Sheriff Ken Bailey
Claiborne Parish
5th District
Sheriff Jay Russell
Ouachita Parish
5th District Alternate Sheriff Wydette Williams East Carroll Parish
6th District
Sheriff Cranford Jordan
6th District Alternate Sheriff Steven McCain
Winn Parish
Grant Parish
7th District
Sheriff Daniel Edwards
7th District Alternate Sheriff Sid Gautreaux
Tangipahoa Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish
8th District
Sheriff Doug Hebert
8th District Alternate Sheriff Ivy Woods
Allen Parish
Jefferson Davis Parish
9th District
Sheriff Bobby Guidroz
9th District Alternate Sheriff Mike Tregre
St. Landry Parish
St. John the Baptist Parish
St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne
serves as NSA 3rd Vice President
by Lauren Labbé Meher
S
heriff Greg Champagne of St. Charles Parish rose in line
from National Sheriff’s Association Secretary to 3rd Vice
President on June 26, 2013 at the annual conference held in
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Founded in 1940, NSA is a nonprofit organization and the
leading advocate on law enforcement, criminal justice and public
safety issues. As one of the largest law enforcement organizations,
NSA is dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among
those in the criminal justice and public safety fields.
Through programs, training, and other resources NSA helps
sheriffs, deputies, and others in the field to perform their
best to better serve the people of their
jurisdictions.
Sheriff Champagne has served on
the National Sheriffs’ Association’s
Board of Directors since 2004. He
also serves as Chairman of the National
Sheriffs’ Association’s Legal Affairs
Committee. Additionally, Champagne
served as president of the Louisiana
Sheriffs’ Association during the 20072008 term.
St. Charles Parish
Sheriff
Greg Champagne
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand
named Crisis Intervention Team
Sheriff of the Year
by Col. John N. Fortunato, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office
O
n October 15, 2013, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell
Normand was named Crisis Intervention Team’s Sheriff
of the Year by the International Crisis Intervention Team.
Sheriff Normand was chosen to be this year’s recipient based on
his training strategy modules along with his collaboration with
the Jefferson Parish Coroner and Mobile Crisis Unit. The Sheriff
was proud to accept this award on behalf
of everyone in the Jefferson Parish
Sheriff’s Office. He was extremely
pleased in knowing that Jefferson Parish
was recognized worldwide by such an Jefferson Parish Sheriff
esteemed organization.
Newell Normand
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
3
Sheriff Tony Mancuso
President’s Profile
by Lauren Labbé Meher
Actor and novelist, Michael J. Fox said, “Family is not an
important thing, it’s everything.” After spending any amount of
time with Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso, it becomes
evident that this is the case for him. But in Sheriff Mancuso’s
situation, the definition of family expands from not only his
immediate family, but also to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s
Office, the greater Calcasieu Parish community and the local law
enforcement community.
It was family that led Sheriff Mancuso to first working as a
deputy for the sheriff’s office in 1984 while his wife finished
school. For the next thirteen years, Sheriff Mancuso gained
experience in a variety of capacities including Corrections, Patrol,
and Youth divisions.
In 1996, Mancuso was elected Ward 3 City Marshal and
assumed office in January, 1997. He was re-elected in 2002 for a
second term.
While Sheriff Mancuso found great success as City Marshal,
in 2003 he decided to go back to his roots and run for Sheriff of
Calcasieu Parish.
When asked what led him to that decision, Mancuso said,
“You know this was where my family was, I had worked with
everyone there for thirteen years and just wanted to be back at
what I felt like was my home.” Mancuso faced four opponents
in that first race and won in the first primary. Apparently the
people of Calcasieu Parish also believe that this is where Mancuso
belongs, because he was reelected in 2008 and 2012 without
opposition.
During his tenure as sheriff, Mancuso brought the Calcasieu
Parish Sheriff’s Office into the 21st Century by obtaining stateof-the-art equipment and law enforcement resources; along with
substantially increasing deputies’ pay to ensure the retention of
trained, qualified deputies.
Mancuso has led his office through many challenges including
Hurricane Rita, a quadruple homicide, and three line of duty
deaths. It is Mancuso’s efforts to create a spirit of cooperation
not only within the sheriff’s office but also with the greater law
enforcement community that enabled him to successfully weather
these storms.
He also partnered with all the public agencies in his parish,
and with state and federal agencies to form the Combined Antidrug Team (C.A.T.) Narcotics Task Force in 2004. By combining
all agencies within the Calcasieu Parish area and forming a single
unit, Mancuso and other parish leaders made it easy to identify,
target, and dismantle illegal drug and gang organizations with
their combined narcotics division.
One of the most significant programs Mancuso implemented
is the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office “Fit for Duty” Wellness
Program. Employees have the opportunity to participate in
4 LOUISIANA SHERIFF
a physical activity program which
includes PT tests every year, and
blood work/medical screenings
through their insurance program.
The impact has been significant,
and since its implementation three
years ago the office’s insurance
Sheriff Tony Mancuso
costs have been reduced three tiers. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff
Sheriff Mancuso takes pride in the
Louisiana Sheriffs’
program’s success in that aspect, but
Association 2013-2014
emphasizes that more importantly,
he has a healthier department. Mancuso serves on the Louisiana
Sheriffs’ Association’s Group Benefits Advisory Board where he
is currently working with other board members to help implement
similar programs at sheriff’s offices statewide.
Mancuso credits much of his success to the people that he
works with. Mancuso says, “The bottom line is that I have very
good people who work for me. My key people, my command
staff, are all very competent and intelligent people, and really they
all do a tremendous job.” Mancuso’s staff attributes it more to the
Sheriff’s philosophy, which starts at the top; Mancuso tells all of
his deputies to treat the people they interact with like they would
their own family.
The sheriff’s work is not isolated to the Calcasieu Parish
community, as he also partners with many state law enforcement
organizations. He was recently appointed by Governor Bobby
Jindal to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and as
Chairman of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. He was
recently elected President of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association
by his peers, making him the third sheriff of Calcasieu Parish to
hold that distinction. In 2012 he was inducted into the Louisiana
Justice Hall of Fame to honor his service to his community, and
his state.
When Sheriff Mancuso first took a job as a Calcasieu Parish
deputy to help support his new family, he did not foresee that
thirty years later, he would be back where he started, and now
leading the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office. Mancuso plans to
continually seek ways to improve law enforcement and the local
community for all of the families of Calcasieu Parish.
JTF7 honored with National Service
Award for Cross-Partnership
by Lauren Labbé Meher
O
n Tuesday, December 3, 2013, law enforcement task force,
Joint Task Force Seven (JTF7), which is comprised of
the seven sheriffs surrounding the Greater Baton Rouge
area, received one of seven National Service Awards presented by
Ready Communities Partnership.
Ready Communities Partnership honors men, women,
organizations, or companies who have made exceptional
contributions to America’s domestic preparedness, response and
recover capability.
The National Service Awards were presented during a
symposium at the Port of New Orleans where leaders met from the
Greater New Orleans region to address gaps in national domestic
response capability. Attendees provided their best practices to
create a template to be shared by America’s strategic military base
and port communities. Keynote speaker LTG Russel L. Honoré
(US Army, ret.) provided the keynote address and presented the
National Service Awards to local recipients.
JTF7 was recognized for creating and implementing a model
demonstrating Cross-Sector Partnerships in the Greater Baton
Rouge area. JTF7 partners with the Port of Greater Baton Rouge,
the Coast Guard, and the private sector industry to protect the
lives and the vital infrastructure of the Greater Baton Rouge area.
The partnership’s unique rapid-response capability and unified
command structure allows JTF7 to quickly and effectively respond
to unusual events at local facilities, acts of terrorism, and natural
or man-made disasters.
LTG Russel L. Honoré (US Army, ret.) and co-presenter Dan
Connole, vice-president of Germane Systems present the Ready
Communities Partnership National Security Award on behalf of
Sprint’s Emergency Response Team. Pictured from left to right are:
Sheriff Beauregard “Bud” Torres III, Pointe Coupee Parish; LTG
Russel L. Honoré (US Army, ret.); Dan Connole, Germane Systems
vice-president; Sheriff Austin Daniel, West Feliciana Parish; Sheriff
Brett Stassi, Sr., Iberville Parish; Sheriff Mike Cazes, West Baton
Rouge Parish; and Sheriff Jeff Wiley, Ascension Parish. Not
pictured: Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, East Baton Rouge Parish and
Sheriff Talmadge Bunch, East Feliciana Parish. Photo by Lauren
Labbé Meher
The seven Louisiana sheriffs who form JTF7 are: Sheriff
Beauregard “Bud” Torres III, Pointe Coupee Parish; Sheriff Brett
Stassi Sr., Iberville Parish; Sheriff Austin Daniel, West Feliciana
Parish; Sheriff Mike Cazes, West Baton Rouge Parish; Sheriff Jeff
Wiley, Ascension Parish; Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, East Baton Rouge
Parish, and Sheriff Talmadge Bunch, East Feliciana Parish.
Lincoln Parish Celebrates Groundbreaking
of New Public Safety Complex
by Commander Stephen Williams, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office
L
incoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone celebrates the ground
breaking of the Lincoln Parish Public Safety Complex. The
complex will house the Parish Homeland Security Director,
Parish Fire Chief as well as the Sheriff’s Criminal, Juvenile and
Community Services Divisions. The building, located on 20 acres
of land north of Ruston, was funded entirely by State and Federal
From left to right: Senator Rick Gallot, Senator Mike Walsworth,
Michael Jackson , Senator Mary Landrieu’s Office; Tiffany Calson,
Senator David Vitter’s Office; Sheriff Mike Stone, Senator Bob
Kostelka, Representative Patrick Jefferson, Representative Rob
Shadoin, Retired Representative Hollis Downs. Photo courtesy of
Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.
grants with no new taxes paid by the citizens. The Complex will
be approximately 28,000 square feet when complete. Construction
will take approximately six months. The building will also serve as
an Emergency Operations Center.
Sheriff Stone was joined by state legislators, representatives
of U.S. Congress, community leaders, and other public agencies
during the ceremony. The Sheriff spoke to those attending
and acknowledged the many people who were responsible for
assistance with funding, planning and developing of this project.
The Sheriff commented that the new complex would allow public
safety agencies in Lincoln Parish to better serve its citizens and
respond more efficiently to emergencies in the parish. Sheriff
Stone also commented that due to the location of the new Public
Safety Complex (centrally located in North Louisiana,) other
regional and state agencies would be able to utilize the facility for
staging, trainings, meeting, and emergency situations.
“We are proud of Lincoln Parish and its progressive outlook
with regard to public safety,” stated the Sheriff. “The people of this
great Parish will now have a public safety complex and emergency
operations center worthy of who they are and the foundation laid
by other leaders of the Parish.”
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
5
Washington Parish Sheriff Randy “Country” Seal
completes 104th session of National Sheriffs’ Institute
by Dr. Mike Haley, Ph.D., Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office
S
heriff Randy “Country” Seal of the Washington Parish I intend to stay active and I hope my fellow Louisiana Sheriffs will
Sheriff’s Office completed participation in the 104th also.”
session of the National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI) held in Fred G. Wilson, NSA Director of Operations, said, “Sheriff
Aurora, Colorado, September 8-14, 2013. The NSI is the only Seal is a leader with vision for the Washington Parish Sheriff’s
national executive development program designed for sheriffs. Office. It is an honor to have Sheriff Seal join the more than 2,500
This no-cost program is co-sponsored by the National Institute of graduates of the NSI since 1973.”
Corrections (NIC) and the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA). The NIC is a division of the U.S. Department of Justice,
Sheriff Seal joined 26 other sheriffs from across the country Bureau of Prisons. It is the primary federal source of technical
for training on contemporary challenges facing America’s sheriffs assistance, training, and information services for state and local
today. In light of those challenges, the sheriffs explored the corrections. NIC provides a wide variety of services to the
role of the local sheriff in providing effective leadership for the nation’s jails, most of which are the responsibility of sheriffs.
public good in such areas as public safety, criminal justice system The NSA is a non-profit professional association located in
policy, community relations, and organization effectiveness and Alexandria, Virginia. NSA represents the nearly 3,100 elected
efficiency.
sheriffs across the nation and has
Sheriff Seal said of his
more than 18,000 members, including
experiences at the NSI, “Participation
law enforcement professionals, state
in the National Sheriffs’ Institute
and federal government employees,
(NSI) was an honor and privilege for
concerned citizens, students, and
me. I encourage all first-term Sheriffs
others. Since 1940, NSA has served
to apply for NSI. The excellent
as an information clearinghouse for
leadership training, the interaction
law enforcement professionals. NSA
with other Sheriffs from throughout
also provides management training
the nation, and the opportunity to
for sheriffs and their personnel in
learn more about the mission of NSA
court security, crime victim services,
combined to make the trip a first From left to right: Mike Jackson, National Institute domestic violence, homeland security
of Corrections; Sheriff Randy Seal, Washington Parish; and
class experience. NSA and LSA are Sheriff Lenny Millholland, Virginia. Sheriff Millholland initiatives, jail operations, and traffic
the Sheriffs’ best friends and I cannot is Sheriff of the city of Winchester, Virginia, and served as safety. Additionally, NSA administers
over-emphasize the importance of the Sheriff mentor for the participating Sheriffs. Photo the highly successful Neighborhood
involvement with each organization. courtesy of Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Watch and Triad programs.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office integrates groundbreaking technology with new Iris Scanning Identification
by Lt. Greg Gonzales, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office
I
dentification of individuals by law enforcement through electronic scans of their irises has been found only in Hollywoodbased police shows. Until now. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff
Jack Strain recently unveiled new devices and software being used
to identify and confirm sex offenders throughout the parish using
this very technology.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office was one of the first
law enforcement agencies in the nation to use this technology and
was the first agency to integrate its use into a sex offender registry.
In cooperation with BI2 Technologies of Plymouth,
Massachusetts, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has
installed iris scanning devices in its sex offender registry office
and in the St. Tammany Parish Jail. Four Mobile Offender
Recognition and Information System (MORIS™) mobile devices
are also being put into service in the field.
6 LOUISIANA SHERIFF
The devices provide positive identification of individuals
through electronic analysis of the person’s iris. During an initial
baseline scan, high resolution cameras capture short videos of
the eyeball, then process that video to extract certain identifiable
characteristics, which are then stored in a national database. After
the baseline scan has been captured, that person’s identity can be
verified in near real-time during subsequent scans.
Irises, like fingerprints, are unique to an individual. This new
technology provides a fast (virtually instantaneous) and extremely
reliable method of establishing positive identification.
Currently, every person booked into the St. Tammany Parish
Jail undergoes an iris scan. If the individual is not already in the
database, this serves as their baseline scan. If they were previously
scanned, this acts as another facet of our identification protocol
during the booking process. Iris scanning has also been made an
continued on next page
DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle honored
for excellence in law enforcement
by M.D. LeComte, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office
T
his past fall, the 2013 Biennial Achievements Awards The Coordinating & Development Corporation is the
Ceremony and Luncheon was held at the Natchitoches Economic Development Authority for the Ark-La-Tex and
Events Center in Natchitoches, Louisiana. More than represents ten parishes in Northwest Louisiana; eleven counties
200 leaders, dignitaries and elected officials participated in the in Northeast Texas, and five counties in Southwest Arkansas.
ceremonies honoring outstanding individuals in their fields from CDC’s overall mission is to deliver projects, activities, services,
throughout the Ark-La-Tex. Sponsored by The Coordinating and financing through economic development initiatives which
& Development Corporation, of which DeSoto Parish and the lead to both a better quality of life and standard of living for all
communities therein are members, Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle was citizens of the Ark-La-Tex Region.
recognized for his outstanding contributions
to improving the overall excellence of law
enforcement in DeSoto Parish. Further, it was
brought out that during his tenure as Sheriff,
he completely modernized the Sheriff’s Office
and brought it into the 21st Century as a
“state-of-the-art” operation, including upgrading facilities and equipment and personnel
management and training.
Categories for which individuals received
recognition for their excellence in performance
included Government Services; Technology;
Workforce Training and Development;
Business Development; Rural Leadership;
Culture/Recreation/Tourism/Entertainment;
Community Development; Statewide Rural
Development; Legislator of the Year; Law Presenting the achievements of DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle, was Mr.
Enforcement; Regional Leadership; Financier M. D. LeComte, President & CEO, The Coordinating & Development Corporation,
of the Year; Economic Developer of the Year; and presenting the award to Sheriff Arbuckle were: (Left to Right ) Arkansas State
River and Waterway Development; Public Representative Lane Jean and Arkansas Regional Vice Chair for CDC; Judge Richard
Anderson, Marshall, TX and Texas Regional Vice Chair for CDC; DeSoto Parish Sheriff
Works and Infrastructure Development; Rodney Arbuckle; Mayor Lorenz Walker, City of Bossier City and Chairman for CDC;
Employment and Career Services and Rail Mayor Eugene Smith, Arcadia, LA and Louisiana Regional Vice Chair for CDC. Photo
Transportation.
courtesy of DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.
St. Tammany Parish, continued from previous page
integral part of the release process, ensuring that the inmate being
released from jail is the correct person.
The iris scanning software has been fully integrated with
Offender Watch®, our sex offender database software. When sex
offenders come to the Sheriff’s Office for periodic registration
(mandated by state law), they undergo an iris scan to confirm
their identity. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office goes
beyond state registration requirements by making quarterly checks
of individuals at their homes in order to confirm their claimed
residence. The four mobile units will allow deputies performing
these checks to immediately confirm the identity of a sex offender,
making it impossible for a relative or acquaintance to pretend to be
the offender in their absence.
“Making positive identification on people going through the
legal system is a must. With this latest technology we are able to
confirm these individuals’ identities with 100% certainty, resulting
in a safer environment
for our deputies and our
citizens,” said Sheriff
Strain.
St. Tammany Sheriff Jack
Strain with one of the new
mobile device, Mobile
Offender Recognition
and Information System
(MORIS ™), which
provides fast and reliable
positive identification
through iris scan. Photo
courtesy of St. Tammany
Parish Sheriff’s Office.
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
7
SHERIFFS’ HONORARY MEMBERS CONTRIBU
The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Members Program brings educational a
of its Honorary Members. Here is how membership dues are work
Acadia Parish
Sheriff Wayne A. Melancon
LSU-Eunice
Allen Parish
Sheriff Douglas Hebert
D.A.R.E. Program
Ascension Parish
Sheriff Jeff Wiley
Scholarship Program
Assumption Parish
Sheriff Mike Waguespack
Summer Camp
Avoyelles Parish
Sheriff Doug Anderson
Community Services
Beauregard Parish
Sheriff Ricky L. Moses
D.A.R.E. Program
Catahoula Parish
Sheriff James Kelly
D.A.R.E. Program
Claiborne Parish
Sheriff Ken Bailey
Athletic Program
Concordia Parish
Sheriff Kenneth Hedrick
D.A.R.E. Program
DeSoto Parish
Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle
Scholarship Program
East Baton Rouge Parish
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux
Nights of Remembrance
East Carroll Parish
Sheriff Wydette Williams
Crime Prevention
Jackson Parish
Sheriff Andy Brown
Senior Citizens’
Program
Jefferson Parish
Sheriff Newell Normand
To Be Announced
Jefferson Davis Parish
Sheriff Ivy Woods
D.A.R.E. Program
Lafayette Parish
Sheriff Michael Neustrom
Youth Activity and
Elderly Protection
LaFourche Parish
Sheriff Craig Webre
Youth Development
Programs
LaSalle Parish
Sheriff Scott Franklin
Scholarship Program
Ouachita Parish
Sheriff Jay Russell
Youth Programs
Plaquemines Parish
Sheriff Lonnie Greco
D.A.R.E. Program
Pointe Coupee Parish
Sheriff Beauregard
“Bud” Torres, III
D.A.R.E. Program
Rapides Parish
Sheriff William Earl Hilton
Community Services
Red River Parish
Sheriff Glen Edwards
Scholarship Program
Richland Parish
Sheriff Lee Harrell
Youth Programs
Sabine Parish
Sheriff Ronny Richardson
D.A.R.E. Program
St. Mary Parish
Sheriff Mark Hebert
Scholarship and
Senior Citizens’ Programs
St. Tammany Parish
Sheriff Jack Strain
Senior Citizens’ and
Reserve Deputies’ Programs
Tangipahoa Parish
Sheriff Daniel Edwards
D.A.R.E. Program
Tensas Parish
Sheriff Rickey Jones
D.A.R.E. Program
Terrebonne Parish
Sheriff Jerry Larpenter
D.A.R.E. Program
Union Parish
Sheriff Dusty Gates
D.A.R.E. and Triad
Programs
Vermilion Parish
Sheriff Mike Couvillon
D.A.R.E. Program
8 LOUISIANA SHERIFF
UTE TO PUBLIC SERVICES AT LOCAL LEVEL
and charitable public services to local communities through the generosity
king throughout Louisiana. Thank you for your continued support.
-Sheriff Greg Champagne, Chairman-Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program
Bienville Parish
Sheriff John Ballance
D.A.R.E. Program
Bossier Parish
Sheriff Julian Whittington
Crime Prevention
Caddo Parish
Sheriff Stephen Prator
Crime Prevention
Calcasieu Parish
Sheriff Tony Mancuso
Youth Services
Caldwell Parish
Sheriff Steven May
Explorer Scout and
Triad Programs
Cameron Parish
Sheriff Ronald Johnson
To be announced.
East Feliciana Parish
Sheriff Talmadge Bunch
D.A.R.E. Program
Evangeline Parish
Sheriff Eddie Soileau
D.A.R.E. Awareness
Franklin Parish
Sheriff Kevin Cobb
Youth Programs
Grant Parish
Sheriff Steven McCain
Youth Camp
Iberia Parish
Sheriff Louis Ackal
D.A.R.E. Program
Iberville Parish
Sheriff Brett Stassi
Youth Services
Lincoln Parish
Sheriff Mike Stone
Triad and D.A.R.E. Programs
Livingston Parish
Sheriff Jason Ard
Drug Awareness and
D.A.R.E. Programs
Madison Parish
Sheriff Larry Cox
D.A.R.E. Program
Morehouse Parish
Sheriff Mike Tubbs
Summer Youth Camp
Natchitoches Parish
Sheriff Victor Jones, Jr.
Youth Ball and
D.A.R.E. Program
Orleans Parish
Sheriff Marlin Gusman
D.A.R.E. Program
St. Bernard Parish
Sheriff James Pohlmann
D.A.R.E. Program
St. Charles Parish
Sheriff Greg Champagne
D.A.R.E. Program
St. Helena Parish
Sheriff Nathaniel “Nat”
Williams
Crime Prevention
St. James Parish
Sheriff Willy Martin, Jr.
Character Links
St. John the Baptist Parish
Sheriff Michael Tregre
Drug Education
St. Landry Parish
Sheriff Bobby Guidroz
D.A.R.E. Program
St. Martin Parish
Sheriff Ronny Theriot
Charitable, Educational and
Public Safety Programs
Vernon Parish
Sheriff Sam Craft
D.A.R.E. Program
Washington Parish
Sheriff Randy Seal
D.A.R.E. Program
Webster Parish
Sheriff Gary Sexton
4-H Shooting Sports
and Council on Aging
West Baton Rouge Parish
Sheriff Mike Cazes
D.A.R.E. and Scholarship
Programs
West Carroll Parish
Sheriff Jerry Philley
Youth Drug Program
West Feliciana Parish
Sheriff Austin Daniel
Drug Awareness
Winn Parish
Sheriff Cranford Jordan
D.A.R.E. Program
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
9
St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office
completes Active Shooter Exercises
by Matt Scallan, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office
P
reparing to defend schools and other public buildings involved in previous mass shooting events to find out what they
against an active shooter takes a lot more than target prac- had learned.
tice, as the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office discovered Maj. Rodney Madere, an original member of the team, said
when it began to train for such an event in the wake of the 1999 regular exercises showed the need for better management of
Columbine High School shooting.
locked doors at school campuses,
It requires the much more
leading to a reduction in the number
difficult task of coordinating with
of keys need for the safe movement
multiple agencies, asking them to
of faculty and students during a
train on their own personnel, then
lockdown. There also is a detailed
periodically bringing everyone
plan for student evacuations outside
together for a stress test.
the campus, an alert system for
The program, called I.M.P.A.S.E
students who are outdoors at the
(Integrated Multilayered Planning
time of the incident, as well as the
for an Active Shooter Event), was
ability initiate emergency lockdowns
started by Sheriff Greg Champagne In an October training exercise at St. Charles Borromeo of large rooms, such as cafeterias and
in 2001. Today it has evolved into School in Destrehan, I.M.P.A.S.E. team members sweep gymnasiums. As part of the program,
a well-documented outline that can the campus searching for students and actors portraying school staff receives training on how
be implemented by any local law active shooters on the campus. Photo courtesy of St. to recognize the pattern of sounds
Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office
enforcement agency.
associated with school assaults, as
The Sheriff’s Office has provided this training for numerous well as life-saving tactics to defend against a shooter, such as how
public agencies and school systems, as well as the Archdioceses to barricade a door.
of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The office also has presented The parish’s volunteer firefighters train closely with the
the program to the Louisiana House of Representatives’ Select sheriff’s deputies between exercises, which are held every two
Committee on Homeland Security.
years.
After years of conducting exercises at public schools in the “In between trainings, we’re in constant communication with
parish, the Sheriff’s Office has been working with the Archdiocese each other,” Madere said. “We go to their training sessions. They
of New Orleans to help it develop the I.M.P.A.S.E. protocols in come to ours.”
its school system. In October, the Sheriff’s Office conducted a Sheriff Champagne said one of St. Charles Parish’s major
large-scale exercise in October at St. Charles Borromeo School, a assets is the ability of public agencies to work together.
parochial elementary school in Destrehan that involved students, “Our I.M.P.A.S.E. program could not be successful without
faculty and professional actors as part of the training scenario.
the partnership with the school system, firefighters and other
To develop the program, Sheriff Champagne sent team stakeholders in our parish. It is a credit to their leadership,”
members out to interview first responders and others who were Champagne said.
Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office strengthens
partnership with community
by Sherry Mahaffey, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office
S
heriff Jay Russell says that he is proud of the accomplishments this year at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Russell cited significant gains in technology and software
as well a new website to make it easier for the public to find the
information they need. He says that the implementation of new
senior, business and youth programs as well as expanded citizen
training like firearm safety have helped create a stronger partnership with the community in fighting crime.
“Community awareness and support helps us to be more
effective. One example of outstanding teamwork is the solving of
a string of 22 residential burglaries by the Investigative Division
which resulted in the arrest of the suspects. The Investigative
10 LOUISIANA SHERIFF
Division did an outstanding job of
building a solid case that will stand up in
court,” Russell stated.
Russell believes the effective way to
reduce crime in the business community
is through the cooperative efforts of
business and law enforcement. Ouachita Ouachita Parish Sheriff
Jay Russell
Parish Sheriff’s Office is achieving that
through their business watch and training seminars. These programs
address business concerns, set up lines of communications and
provide additional educational training on how to watch for and
detect trouble so they can operate more safely.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman
starts Girl Scouts Beyond Bars
by Philip Stelly, Public Information Officer, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office
O
rleans Parish Sheriff
improves morale. She added
Marlin N. Gusman
that the girls benefit because
has launched a new
statistics show that 65 percent
chapter of Girl Scouts Beyond
of the girls who participate
Bars, a program for girls and
in the program get in less
their incarcerated mothers.
trouble, do better in school and
The program is designed
make healthier choices such as
to help re-establish family
eating better foods and quitting
bonds, and to teach leadership,
smoking.
healthy living and financial
The first Girl Scouts
literacy skills both to the girls
Beyond
Bars
monthly
and their incarcerated mothers.
meeting involving mothers
Sheriff Gusman said,
and daughters took place
“I started this program to Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman poses with Girl Scouts leaders and in October 2013 at Orleans
strengthen the bond between charter members of the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars chapter at Orleans Parish Sheriff ’s Office’s newly
mothers and daughters and Parish Prison. Sheriff Gusman is flanked by Girl Scouts Louisiana built
kitchen-warehouse
to encourage incarcerated East COO Robin Guillmette, left, and Girl Scouts Outreach Director facility. Mothers were allowed
mothers to make better choices Dianne Rose. Photo courtesy of Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.
to sit with their daughters and
after incarceration. My long-term goal is to help mothers after their engage in activities and group discussions led by representatives
incarceration, which will subsequently reduce the recidivism rate.” of the Girl Scouts. Five more monthly meetings are scheduled
Sheriff Gusman launched Girl Scouts Beyond Bars in through May 2014.
partnership with Girl Scouts Louisiana East. Prior to the launch, Based on the initial response to the program, Sheriff Gusman
representatives of the Girl Scouts held a series of meetings with said he expects more incarcerated mothers to participate in the
Col. Anella Joseph, warden of the Female Division who hand- next cycle of classes. He added that the success of Girls Scouts
picked the first set of 13 inmates to participate in the program.
Beyond Bars could lead to a similar program at Orleans Parish
Col. Joseph said Girl Scouts Beyond Bars allows incarcerated Sheriff’s Office involving male inmates and the Boy Scouts.
mothers to have regular contact with their daughters, which
Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office recognized
for DWI Enforcement
by Lt. Tommy Carnline, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office
T
he Louisiana Highway Safety Commission 5th Annual
Awards ceremony was attended by Sheriff William Earl
Hilton where he was presented an award for the outstanding job that has been done in DWI enforcement by the Rapides
Parish Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Randall Wilmore of the Metro
Division of Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office was also awarded
an Individual Award for his efforts in arresting impaired drivers.
Deputy Wilmore made over 90 DUI arrests in 2012.
“There is no reason people should be driving impaired after
all these years of increased public awareness and enforcement”
said Sheriff Hilton. “Our deputies are going to continue to
aggressively enforce impaired driving. It is easier to call a friend
to come and get you than to bond you out of jail.”
A dedicated DWI Enforcement Unit of the Sheriff’s Office
was started under Sheriff Hilton during his first administration in
1998.
Additionally, five other Louisiana Sheriffs were recognized in
the ceremony including Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff
Jeff Wiley; Assumption Parish Sheriff’s
Office, Sheriff Mike Waguespack; East
Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office,
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux; Lafourche Parish
Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Craig Webre;
and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office,
Sheriff Jason Ard.
The Louisiana Highway Safety
Commission works year-round to
support enforcement and education Rapides Parish Sheriff
programs related to DWI and other William Earl Hilton
problem driving behaviors. The awards program, started in 2008,
was developed with the support and cooperation of Louisiana
State Police, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries,
Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, Louisiana Judicial Association,
and the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. Calcasieu
Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso currently serves as Chairman of the
Commission.
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
11
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office
Sweeps Canine Association Field Trials
by Casey Rayborn Hicks, Public Information Director, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office
T
he East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office (EBRSO) K-9
Division received numerous awards and national
certifications in narcotics detection this summer at the
United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) National
Detector Dog Certification Trials in Hammond. Out of 35
Narcotics Detector Dog Teams from across the nation, EBRSO’s
Cpl. Shannon Graham and his K-9 partner Mylo and Cpl. Jesse
Hale and his K-9 partner Jumma finished 1st and 2nd overall on
the National Level.
The following is a list of awards the East Baton Rouge
Sheriff’s K-9 teams won: Cpl. Shannon Graham / K-9 MYLO
finished 1st Place Overall, 1st Place Department Team 1st Place
Indoor Search, and 4th Place Vehicle Search. Cpl. Jesse Hale /
K-9 JUMMA received 2nd Place Overall, 1st Place Department
Team, 2nd Place Indoor Search, 3rd Place Vehicle Search.
This past spring the K-9 division also attended The USPCA’s
Region 10 field trials held in Covington LA. Thirty-one 31 K-9/
handler Narcotics teams and 37 K-9/handler Patrol teams from
across the state participated.
In Patrol Dog competition, EBRSO Capt. James Broussard/K-9
Indo finished 1st place in Patrol, 1st place Rookie Dog team, 1st
place Evidence Search, 2nd place Agility and 3rd place Obedience.
Capt. Broussard/K-9 Indo also received the Tom Larson award for
the “Top Patrol Dog” in Region 10 trials. This being the first time
ever anyone from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s
Office received the Tom Larson award in Region 10
trials.
East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Dy. Diana
Wales/K-9 Enzo finished 1st place in Obedience,
Lt. Steven Whitstine/K-9 Kodo finished 3rd place in
Agility and EBRSO Cpl. Shannon Graham/K-9 Mylo
finished 1st place in Indoor search in the Narcotics
Division, and received the “Top Narcotics Dog” award
in Region 10 trials. EBRSO Cpl. Jesse Hale/K-9 Jumma
finished 1st place in Outdoor search of vehicles.
Congratulations to the EBRSO K-9 Division for
Left to Right: Dy. Diana Wales, Cpl. Michael Zachary, Cpl. Jesse Hale, Cpl. such great accomplishment. To schedule a time for an
Shannon Graham, Captain James Broussard, Lt. Steven Whitstine, Cpl. Jason
EBRSO K-9 demonstration, please contact the EBRSO
Shows, and Dy. Matthew Hurley. Photo courtesy of East Baton Rouge Parish
Public Information Division at (225) 389-5091.
Sheriff’s Office.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz
adds Sonar Mini-craft to Flotilla
by Lt. Megan Vizena, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office
S
t. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz’s Search & only it is operated over waterways,” Guidroz said. “Such search
Rescue Dive Team has added an underwater sonar mini- capacity is important to St. Landry Parish due to the fact that it
craft to their department flotilla. The vessel measures three is so rural, and it is a parish with lots of bayous, small lakes and
feet by six feet and is designed to operate in small bodies of water coulees,” stated Guidroz.
such as ponds or in an area with extremely limited access. The For its first test, the unit, known as SL300, was sent in
mini-sonar boat is a remote controlled vessel that can be operated search of a truck that had been driven off into Bayou Teche
from the shore. It is powered by a
approximately a week prior. After
trolling motor and is equipped with
approximately 15 minutes of
a sonar device that can record data
searching the immediate area and
from about 20 yards away. It also
in spite of muddy murky water,
has an anchor function that allows
the submerged truck was located
it to hover over one spot regardless
by the mini-sonar vessel. Sheriff
of water current or wind conditions.
Guidroz added, “If any Sheriff or
“This vessel is based off the
law-enforcement agency has the
concept of other remote-controlled St. Landry Parish Search & Rescue Dive Team’s new need for this mini-vessel or any
police/military applications such as remote-controlled underwater sonar mini-craft, the SL300. part of my flotilla, please call me
a land side bomb disposal unit, Photo courtesy of St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.
and I will make it available.”
12 LOUISIANA SHERIFF
Caddo Parish Young Super Sleuths
Try Their Hands at Solving Crime
by Cindy Chadwick, Public Information Officer, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office
T
hey are a new generation of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drews.
With pen, paper, and cameras in hand, 20 Caddo Parish
students fanned out over a mock crime scene during Spring
Break to learn the job of a crime scene investigation (CSI).
The students were part of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office
CSI Camp for Kids. Started by Sheriff Steve Prator in 2006, the
camp continues to be in high demand among Caddo residents
ages 11-12. Four sessions are offered each year at Sheriff’s Safety
Town.
Real sheriff’s CSIs teach campers the basics of crime scene
investigations by providing them with their own mystery to solve.
During the three-day camp, students look for clues and collect
evidence using techniques and skills taught by the Sheriff’s
Office. They also participate in practical exercises in photography,
fingerprint identification, and shoeprint impressions. Participants
use the evidence they collect to build a criminal case and solve the
mystery by the end of camp.
Sheriff Prator said CSI Camp is more than just the excitement
of solving a mystery. It gives students a new appreciation for
science while also giving them a look inside the world of law
enforcement, he said.
“I think they’re surprised at how important math, science and
English are to real crime scene investigators. It’s a lot of fun for
the kids and a great opportunity for our deputies to share a little
bit about what we do each day,” he said of the camp.
Detective Jason Morgan, who teaches a block on investigations
during the camp, agreed.
“I think it shows them the other side of law enforcement,”
Morgan said. “In a couple of years when I retire, maybe one of
these guys will grow up and take my spot and know exactly what
to do.”
For more information about the camp, contact Cpl. Al
Newman at 318-681-0604.
Caddo Parish Crime Scene Investigator Richard Smith shows a
camper how to collect fingerprint evidence.
Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office offers
Island Outpost camp for Boy Scouts
by Capt. Ryan Turner, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office
T
he Island Outpost is part of Iberia Parish Sheriff Sheriff
Louis Ackal’s commitment to our most important natural
resource, our children. Located in the Atchafalaya Basin
it provides a beautiful view of Iberia Parish’s beautiful scenery.
The Outpost is a ten minute boat ride and worth every minute.
Sheriff Ackal makes this camp exclusively available to the Boy
Scouts of America at no cost. It is operated by Iberia Parish
Sheriff’s Office personnel and is well maintained.
Facilities include: a dining hall and full kitchen, individual
cabins with bunk beds for 6 people (Total Occupancy 48),
separate facilities for men and women, showers with hot water,
boat docks for fishing, barbeque pit for outdoor cooking, nature
trail for hiking, and
a generator on site
for lighting and
electrical needs.
Sheriff Ackal
recognizes
the
importance of our
children’s future
and is excited
about having the
Boy Scouts use the
Island Outpost to
hone their skills
and learn new
ones.
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
13
Remembering Union Parish Sheriff
Robert G. “Bob” Buckley – 1947-2013
The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA) regrets to inform you of the passing of Union Parish Sheriff
Robert G. “Bob” Buckley on September 17, 2013 after his battle with cancer. LSA joined hundreds of
mourners to pay their final respects on Friday, September 20, 2013.
S
heriff Buckley was 65 years old, a former State Trooper
and the longest serving sheriff of Union Parish, serving
24 years. Prior to his passing, he served longer than any
current sheriff in the state. He was the immediate past president
of the LSA, the secretary-treasurer for the Louisiana Sheriffs’
Honorary Membership Program, and the Northern Coordinator
of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Task Force.
Sheriff Buckley was known for his keen intellect; his ability
to find humor in all situations, and his compassion for all.
Sheriff Buckley not only left his mark on Union Parish, but in
every corner of our great state.
Sheriff Buckley created a
people-centered culture focused
on service before self. He had a
mural painted over the entrance of
the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Bob Buckley
which read, “Through these doors
Union Parish Sheriff
pass the finest law enforcement
officers on earth.” We assert that this sign that he placed for
others, also appropriately refers to him, and stands as a tribute to
his leadership and his service to Union Parish and to the entire
state of Louisiana.
Sheriff Bob Buckley with his family. From left to right: Court Claire Buckley, Caleb Lee Roberson, Sheriff Bob Buckley, Janet Collins
Buckley, Joshua Carson Buckley, and Justin Lee Buckley.
Sheriff Bob Buckley, Louisiana State
Police. Sheriff Buckley retired from
Louisiana State Police after 22 years of
service to become Sheriff of Union Parish.
14 LOUISIANA SHERIFF
Sheriff Bob Buckley with the late Sheriff
Eugene Patterson, who was also a longtime
sheriffs’ deputy for him.
Sheriff Bob Buckley
Union Parish Sheriff
A Special Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors
The 37th Annual Louisiana Sheriffs’ and Wardens’ Training Conference and Exhibition was held July 14-18, 2013 in Destin, Florida.
The conference included a variety of training sessions in areas such as Proactive Communications, Criminal Law,
Employment Law, Legislative, and a variety of other leadership training opportunities.
Without the support of our sponsors, this conference would not have been possible.
PLATINUM LEVEL CORPORATE SPONSOR ($10, 000 + CONTRIBUTION)
AT&T
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program
Motorola
GOLD LEVEL CORPORATE SPONSOR ($7, 000 - $9, 999)
Acadian Ambulance
SILVER LEVEL CORPORATE SPONSOR ($5, 000- $6, 999)
Alert FM
Appriss Inc.
Correct Solutions
Harris Corporation
Watch Systems
BRONZE LEVEL CORPORATE SPONSOR ($2, 000-$4, 999)
Archon Information Systems, L.L.C.
Brothers Commissary Services
Capital One Bank
Fontenot Benefits and Actuarial
Glazer Companies
Grace & Hebert Architects
Homeland Safety Systems
Louisiana Asset Management Pool
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
Mockler Beverage Company
Resource One
Securus Technologies
Southern Eagle
The Tammariello Group
Union Pacific Railroad
LOUISIANA SHERIFF
15
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Baton Rouge, LA
Permit No. 1661
1175 Nicholson Drive, Suite 101
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Celebrates 75 Years with Dedication of New Headquarters,
continued from front cover
the NSA. Sheriff Charles Fuselier Sr. and Charles Fuselier Jr.
were the only father and son LSA presidents. Sheriff Gordon
Martin and current St. James Parish Sheriff Willy Martin Jr.
were the only uncle and nephew pair to serve as presidents of
the LSA. Sheriff Gordon Martin played a unique role in LSA’s
history by serving as a delegate in the 1972 Constitutional
Convention, where at Sheriff Martin’s insistence, language was
inserted placing the sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer
of the parish.
During the dedication Ranatza said, “This building is a
symbol, representing the unity among all sheriffs working
towards one goal: public safety. We are excited to begin this new
chapter for Louisiana Sheriffs, and thankful to the many people
who have played a role in bringing this project from a vision into
a reality.”
At the end of the ceremony, Ranatza unveiled a flat screen
monitor in the lobby of the new headquarters, which perpetually
runs a slide show in memory of all of the fallen Louisiana
sheriffs and deputies. The slideshow contains the end of watch
dates, years of service, photographs, and a brief synopsis of the
cause of death for each fallen sheriff or deputy in Louisiana
since March 12, 1869. The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association
proudly dedicates their headquarters to the fallen deputies and
sheriffs of Louisiana.