Jan. - March 2019 Quarterly Newsletter
Jan. - March 2019 Quarterly Newsletter
|
JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JANUARY - MARCH 2019 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER |
During the Jan. - March 2019 quarter, the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office experienced many new changes, accomplishments and achievements for the agency and community. JDPSO is proud to share these milestones and events with the citizens of the parish.
Lafayette Crime Stoppers aids in livestock shooting investigation
The shooting of several cattle on a farm located on Faul Road, north of Welsh, early in January kicked off an investigation by the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office and the Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission, as well as gained the attention of Lafayette Crime Stoppers. Lafayette Crime Stoppers offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identity of the suspect (s) responsible for the shooting.
| LEFT: Pictured here (from left to right) are Enforcement Manager Jesse Perry with the Livestock Brand Commission, Enforcement Officer Jessie Bellard of Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry and JDPSO Detective Lisa Ivey discussing details regarding the investigation. |
| RIGHT: Perry (left) is pictured here with Bellard (center) who is presenting Ivey (right) with a $200 check from the Jeff Davis Cattleman's Association to contribute towards the reward amount. |
| LEFT: Ivey (left) and Bellard (right) are pictured here with Lake Charles resident Callen Oden (center) who donated an additional $1,000 towards the reward in the investigation. Thanks to the support from these donations, the reward amount in the cattle shooting investigation totaled at $2,200. |
SHERIFF LEADS MLK PARADE
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Sheriff Ivy Woods led the Annual MLK Parade on South Main Street in Jennings, kicking off the 2019 MLK festivities.
JDPSO Deputies also participated in MLK activities at the Union Baptist Church in Jennings following the parade.
Sheriff recognizes parish seniors during 4-H Livestock Show Awards Banquet
During the 2019 4-H Livestock Show Awards Banquet, Sheriff Ivy Woods recognized the outgoing parish seniors who participated in the 4-H, FFA Livestock Program. After the regularly scheduled awards were given, Sheriff Woods presented plaques to the five seniors who were present during the banquet.
Woods is pictured here (right), with support from Louisiana State Representative Johnny Guinn (left), presenting the plaques to each senior.
|
Emily Hayes of JHS. |
|
|
Sheriff Woods is pictured here with parish seniors who participated in the Jeff Davis Parish 4-H Livestock Show.
Pictured here above (from left to right) are Lee Zaunbrecher (standing in for his older brother, Frank Zaunbrecher), Nicholas Guillory of Jennings High School (JHS), Emily Hayes of JHS, Sheriff Ivy Woods,, Shyann Racca of Lacassine High School (LHS), Slade McNabb of Welsh High School (WHS) and Kynadee Touchet of LHS.
Not pictured, but who also received a plaque, are Taylon Hess of LHS, Benjamin Sonnier of Hathaway High School (HHS) and Frank Zaunbrecher.
Sheriff Woods is a strong supporter of 4-H and parish agri-related activities.
JDPSO escorts 2019 Western Heritage Trail Ride through parish
Each year, Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Deputies lead the Western Heritage Trail Ride caravan safely across the parish.
The Western Heritage Trail Ride is a week-long event that begins in Gueydan and ends in Lake Charles, kicking off the Annual Southwest Livestock Show and Rodeo. Outfitted in traditional western dress, participants travel across the parish on horseback and in covered wagons, keeping with the western heritage style of travel.
Wagons and riders travel through Jeff Davis Parish, making over-night stops in Lake Arthur, Jennings, Welsh and then Iowa before continuing out of the parish
JDPSO participates in Sowela Career Fair
JDPSO D.A.R.E. Officer Gale Richard (right) and School Resource Officer (SRO) Brock Hymel (left) recently participated in the Sowela Career Fair for parish juniors and seniors. Deputies spoke with students about a career in law enforcement, as well as provided information regarding employment opportunities within the different divisions of the agency. Members of JDPSO regularly attend career fairs scheduled throughout the parish to build strong relationships with students as they consider future career options.
JDPSO hosts Blood Drive
In an effort to maintain the available blood supply for the parish, as well as the surrounding areas, the Sheriff's Office holds regular Blood Drives throughout the year. The spring drive, held in February, brought several agency members to the donation bus.
|
|
|
Dy. Brant Duplechain |
|
Sheriff Participates in Annual Legislative Breakfast and Meeting Sheriff Ivy Woods, along with several other local dignitaries, helped serve breakfast during the recent Legislative Breakfast and Meeting held at Sowela Technical College in Jennings. During the meeting, state legislators discussed issues to be addressed during the upcoming session of the Louisiana State Legislation, as well as the effect those issues might have on Jeff Davis Parish. |
Sheriff sponsors COA Mardi Gras Party
Each year, JDPSO participates in the Jeff Davis Parish Council on Aging (COA) Annual Mardi Gras Party, held at the Lacassine Community Center. Along with providing a traditional jambalaya lunch, Sheriff Ivy Woods, his wife Bridgit and several members of the Sheriff's Office, mingled with parish seniors during the festivities, aiding with various activities and served refreshments. The Sheriff also assisted in announcing the raffle contest winners, judging for the costume and dance contests and selecting the Crewe de Wise 2019 Royal Court.
JDPSO welcomes new K-9 Deputy and two Canines
Dy. Chris Wallace joined the JDPSO team this February, along with his two canines, Buck and Daisy. Buck is a two-and-a-half year old Belgium Malinois and Daisy is a one-year-old Bloodhound.
Wallace has been a law enforcement officer since 2016 and a Canine Handler and trainer since 2017. His career in law enforcement followed two-and-a-half years serving in the United States Army from 2014 to 2016. During that time, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. Prior to his years in the Army, he was an Administration Segregation Correctional Officer in a maximum-security Texas State Penitentiary from 2012 to 2014.
|
|
JDPSO supports Headstart activities
JDPSO SRO Tiffany Bertrand cheered on students from the Save the Children Headstart School during their mini Mardi Gras Parade through Wal-Mart.
Sheriff guides volunteer group on tour of new facility
Sheriff Ivy Woods recently led the local volunteer group, Volunteers for Family and Community (VFC), on a tour through the new Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office main office facility.
Woods began the tour with a brief background on how the decision to purchase the former West End Hospital building was made and explained the process involved preparing it to house the Sheriff's Office main operations. The group was also given the opportunity to discuss the benefits of the move and ask questions regarding the new jail and 911 Division facility.
VFC visitors were able to learn about the new office layout and functions, as well as how the new facility allows members of the agency to more effectively provide service to the public.
Sheriff's Office accepts flag donation
The Jennings Chapter of Woodmen Life Insurance members recently presented the Sheriff's Office with two flags, which will be flown on the flag poles at the JDPSO new main office location.
In an effort to show support and give back to the community, the company donates flags to civil and non-profit organizations.
Sheriff Ivy Woods (left) is shown here accepting the flags from Woodmen Life Insurance sales rep. Monica Bonin Gary (right).
Gary presented a 5x8 foot United States flag, as well as a 4x6 foot Louisiana flag to JDPSO, to recognize and honor their first responders.
Sheriff surprises Elton Girls Basketball Team
Sheriff Ivy Woods recently surprised the Elton High School Lady Indians Girls Basketball Team with a steak dinner last week to honor and recognize them for all their hard work and dedication, which led them to the State Championship Win.
The team was brought to the home of Mark Gary in Hathaway, where they were presented with sirloin steaks hot off the grill, jambalaya and green beans. After congratulating the girls, the Sheriff presented each of them with a Sheriff Ivy Woods Challenge Coin before they sat down to enjoy the meal.
JDPSO holds Inaugural Citizen's Academy - Part 1
Over the course of four Thursdays, from March 21 to April 11, JDPSO held the first Citizen's Academy for parish leaders. The academy covered each division of the department, explaining how every level of operations functions and the purpose for those operations. Participants also toured the Sheriff's Office new main office location and the new jail, as well as learned about the many departmental vehicles, resources and equipment, and watched demonstrations with the K-9 Deputies.
JDPSO welcomes guest instructor for Emergency Crisis Seminar
This year, the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office hosted a pilot class to teach first aid emergency care to young people, in the event of a crisis. Volunteers from the Sheriff's Office, as well as members of the Jennings Police and Fire Departments and the Evangeline Fire Department, were on hand to assist Ray Collins, B.S., NRP U.S. Army (Retired), who led the class, "When the Unthinkable Happens."
The four-hour seminar covered mindset, tactical response and practical trauma care in the event of a crisis event. Participants were taught how to use basic first responder tactics to provide potentially life-saving are in the event of an emergency such as a hunting, farming or agriculture accident, or even an active shooter situation.
The idea for the seminar was born following the Active Shooter Exercise held by the Sheriff's Office this past fall, which introduced and addressed the potential threat of an active shooter from a tactical standpoint. The Active Shooter Exercise emphasized specific focus on threat neutralization, first responder action and victim retrieval. However, because emergency entry teams are not their to aid victims, part of that training involves bypassing them as they first seek out the threat. Once the environment is safe, medical assistance may be rendered without leaving response teams vulnerable. Providing basic first aid training to youth and other members of the community is one way to help them to aid potential victims during a crisis until first responders can enter the scene.
Members of the JDPSO Patrol, Administration, Elderly Affairs, D.A.R.E. and SRO Divisions also attended the class. Although many members of the department carry first aid equipment, the Sheriff felt it was important for them to also practice and become more familiar with the first aid skills covered in the class, just like during any other tactical training exercise.
Members of JDPSO, along with members of the Jennings Fire and Police Departments, and members of the Evangeline Fire Department, assisted Collins instructing participants as they maneuvered through the obstacle course.