July - Sept. 2018 Quarterly Newsletter
July - Sept. 2018 Quarterly Newsletter
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Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office July - Sept. 2018 Quarterly Newsletter |
During the July-September 2018 quarter, the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office has seen many accomplishments and achievements for the agency, as well as the community. JDPSO is proud to share these events with the citizens of the parish.
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JDPSO detective awarded for efforts
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1058, which includes Jefferson Davis Parish and the surrounding areas, recently recognized a detective with the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office (JDPSO) for his investigative efforts resulting in the recovery of a stolen trailer. JDPSO Det. Ron Martin led the six-month investigation following a report regarding the theft of the trailer. The trailer contained various supplies and equipment used by the veteran organization, including several tables and chairs, service flags, extension cords and even the POW/MIA ceremonial table, as well as a ceremonial bugle that had been donated by Jefferson Davis Parish District Attorney Michael Cassidy. Early in the 2017 year, the trailer was taken from the parking lot of the Friends Supporting Friends facility grounds along Hwy 90, west of Jennings. |
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Thanks to Martin’s investigation, in conjunction with the participation of Trooper Scott Farris of Troop D, Region 2 in Lake Charles and Trooper Dale Latham of Troop I, Region 2 in Breaux Bridge, the trailer was located along the roadside, and the two Deridder suspects were soon apprehended and arrested.
A ceremony honoring Martin, along with Farris and Lathem, was held at Friends Supporting Friends early in the month of July.
Although the trailer was recovered, the contents were not. However, a donation made by Jeff Davis Bank made it possible to replace all that had been lost.
Deputies escort flag tour through parish
The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office provided a deputy escort for the Nation of Patriots American Flag Tour as it traveled through the parish.
The Nation of Patriots is a non-profit Christian motorcycle group that organizes a national effort to pay tribute to, and honor, members of all of America’s Armed Forces – past, present and fallen. This annual united effort is known as the Patriot Tour.
The Patriot Tour traditionally begins during Memorial Day weekend in Wisconsin, as a massive group of riders escorts one American Flag on the back of a motorcycle to the first of many destinations, where it is then transferred to a new escort. The following day, the Flag is then escorted to another designated location. This transition continues for 14,500 miles, through all 48 continental states for over 100 days. The Flag travels full circle across the U.S. and lands right back in Wisconsin where several thousand Americans gather to honor America's Military members and raise support for those wounded in their service.
The tour entered the parish from Kinder, and JDPSO Deputies met riders at the parish line on US 190. The tour was then escorted through Elton, where it was also met by members of the Elton Police Department. From there, the tour continued along 190 towards Eunice where they met up with other riders.
Nation of Patriots was formed in 2008 and launched the first Patriot Tour in 2009. The organization’s focus is to provide financial support to those who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their families.
D.A.R.E. Truck wins first place at State Conference
The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office D.A.R.E. PR unit won first place in the Best of Show Truck Division during the recent Louisiana D.A.R.E. Officers State conference.
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Dy. Mika Miguez is pictured here holding the first place trophy during the recent D.A.R.E. Conference in Monroe. |
The Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office (JDPSO) D.A.R.E. PR unit won first place in the Best of Show Truck division during the recent Louisiana D.A.R.E. Officers State Conference. The annual conference was held in Monroe, La. this July and featured D.A.R.E. teams from law enforcement agencies all over the state, including JDPSO’ own D.A.R.E. officers Mika Miguez and Gale Richard. During each conference, a car show is held for different agency D.A.R.E. vehicles. This year, the show featured a wide variety of different types of vehicles, including trucks, cars and SUVs. Approximately two years ago, while attended one of the D.A.R.E conferences, the sheriff began discussing the idea of featuring a unit for Jeff Davis Parish. |
He ultimately decided to use one of the former patrol trucks as a D.A.R.E. unit and chose a camouflage theme wrap to represent the hunting community of the parish.
A customized portable X-Box gaming system and a 48 inch flat screen television that folds down in a storage and display station were then installed in the truck bed. Two camouflage boat seats matching the pattern of the truck with the D.A.R.E. insignia were then attached to square tubing mounting brackets designed to slide into the receiver hitch, providing seating for players.
The truck bed camper protects the entire system while in storage and during use.
Dy. Miguez is pictured here enjoying the gaming system with a participating youth during the recent D.A.R.E. Conference in Monroe.
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During family night of the conference, Richard and Miguez signed up the vehicle under the truck category of the contest, where youth were invited to attend and interact with the vehicles. The gaming system will also be utilized when the D.A.R.E. truck is used and featured at school and public functions. |
Dy. Miguez and John Godwin of Duck Commander
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Little Visitors Members of the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) received a visit from a group of little travelers this summer. While stopping to see family in Jennings, members of the Burgin Family included a tour of the CID building as part of their visit in the parish. When they arrived, the five children, siblings and cousins ranging in age from 2-9, were welcomed by Deputy Aubrey Broussard. They were then presented with a variety of gifts, including a color book, colors, ear buds and their very own deputy badges, by Deputy Roxi Guidry. |
Deputy Aubrey Broussard is pictured here with one of the children who recently toured the CID facility while in town visiting family. |
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Patrol Commander Douglas Britnell taught the young guests about the law enforcement tools officers use to navigate the parish and communicate with one another. |
Deputy Trey Herndon, Shift Supervisor Derrick Miller and Patrol Commander Douglas Britnell then spoke to the children about what it’s like being a Sheriff’s Deputy. Commander Britnell then allowed them to sit in a patrol unit and showed them some of the tools law enforcement officers uses to navigate the parish, communicate with one other and serve the public. |
Shift B Patrol Supervisor Derrick Miller (far left), Patrol Deputy Trey Herndon (second from right) and Patrol Commander Douglas Britnell (far right) are pictured here with a group of siblings and cousins who recently toured the CID facility and learned about law enforcement.
JDPSO welcomes new School Resource Officer
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The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office proudly introduces a new School Resource Officer (SRO), Deputy Brock Hymel. Dy. Hymel, originally from the Cypress Point area, became interested in a career in law enforcement at a very young age. He was later introduced to the aspects of first response as a volunteer with the Klondike Fire Department while accompanying his father who was the Fire Chief at the time. As a teen, he'd tag along with his father and eventually became a volunteer.
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He began his law enforcement career in 2008 with the McNeese State University Police department, where he remained for two years. In 2014, he joined the Sheriff's Office as a jailer for approximately a year before moving to patrol in 2015 to the summer of 2018 when he began training for the SRO position.
As an SRO, Dy. Hymel said he hopes to give students a sounding board as they deal with life's issues, and his goal is make a difference in children's lies. By being a trusted friend, Dy. Hymel hopes to help them understand what officers do for the public, but also to humanize the profession and help youth realize that members of law enforcement are people, just like they are.
Hymel joins the team with SRO Tiffany Bertrand and D.A.R.E. Officers Gale Richard and Mika Miguez. Together, these deputies provide strong positive mentorship to youth in all parish schools.
JDPSO hosts Hunter Education Safety Course
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The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office (JDPSO) recently led a Louisiana Hunter Safety Education Course at the LSU AgCenter. The course, held in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), helps to educate hunters of all ages in various aspects of hunter and firearms safety and respect for wildlife conservation. The course is designed to prevent hunting accidents, while also ensuring the future of hunting by teaching responsibility in the field. |
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Once the class is successfully completed, participants are tested, and pending a passing grade, presented with a lifetime Hunter Education Card.
The Louisiana Hunter Safety Education Course is held at the LSU AgCenter, located at 1006 S. Lake Arthur Ave. in Jennings. To register for the next class, or to look up other hunter education classes and locations, visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
Special Operations Commander Bill Kettler is pictured here leading a recent Louisiana Hunter Safety Education Course at the LSU AgCenter.
The class was lead by JDPSO Commanders Bill Kettler and Douglas Britnell, and Deputy Chris Gaspard, who are all certified hunter safety instructors.
JDPSO leads Active Shooter Class for Educational Leaders
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Special Operations Commander Bill Kettler with the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office recently led an active shooter educational and survival seminar for parish educators. In light of the new school year, the Sheriff’s Office aims to help parish leaders to prepare for the potential of any emergency situation. The class features a “Run, Hide, Fight” video depicting an active shooter situation, as well as a Q&A session with parish teachers and administration regarding some emergency issues they might face in the classroom. |
The purpose of the class is to help parish school officials learn techniques and skills to protect and defend themselves and students in the event of an emergency involving an active shooter, not only within the classroom environment, but in any large or public facility or building.
Commander Kettler speaks to parish educators during a recent Active Shooter seminar about how to stay safe during an emergency.
The purpose of the class is to help parish school officials learn techniques and skills to protect and defend themselves and students in the event of an emergency involving an active shooter, not only within the classroom environment, but in any large or public facility or building.
The Active Shooter Class is available upon request, and interested parties may contact Commander Kettler at (337) 821-2109.
JDPSO moves to new location
After over five decades in the courthouse, the majority of the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office (JDPSO) operations are in the final stages of moving to a new location.
A sign marking the new Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office has replaced the former West End Behavioral Hospital Sign along La. Hwy 90 West.
Several months ago, Sheriff Ivy Woods began negotiating the purchase of the former West Behavioral Hospital, located at 1530 La. Hwy. 90 West, for the purpose of consolidating more divisions of the agency under one roof. The purchase was finalized in spring of this year, and the new facility is just east of the new Jefferson Davis Parish Consolidated Jail.
Finance Deputy/OEP Assistant Director Karen Hay and Occupational Business and Insurance Tax Clerk Connie Sarvis unload boxes of files at the new Sheriff’s Office location.
Since the Jefferson Davis Parish Courthouse was constructed in 1964, along with approximately 27 years in the former Coca-Cola Bottling Co. building on Robert’s Ave., JDPSO has been operating out of the same facilities until mid-September of this year, when the transition to the new location began.
The former West End Behavioral Hospital how houses the primary operations of the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office divisions.
The additional facility will house the administration division, commanders’ offices, detectives’ offices, the Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) and public services operations involving taxes, civil issues, tickets, occupational licenses and bonds, as well as provide areas for meeting and training purposes. The new facility will also provide more effective and efficient service to the public, while allowing more organization in a cleaner environment to both the public and agency employees. The overall move will provide employees with ample space in which to work, function and grow as an agency, as well as provide much needed storage for files and security for sensitive operations.
The current office space in the courthouse and CID building will still be utilized by the Sheriff’s Office, but the operations to remain in those locations will now have more room in which to function. The courthouse offices will still house the sex offender division and supporting members of the civil and transport divisions. The former CID building, located on Robert’s Ave., will maintain impound, storage and fleet maintenance, as well as the D.A.R.E. and SRO offices.
Deputy recognized for life-saving actions
Pictured here is JDPSO Commander Douglas Britnell (left) presenting a plaque to Deputy Brant Duplechain (right) for his courageous actions while on duty.
Assistant Shift Supervisor Brant Duplechain was recognized for his heroic acts that saved a man’s life this month.
While manning the Sheriff’s Office Substation in Lacassine this past September, Duplechain responded to a call involving an auger related injury at a near by rice mill. Upon arrival, Duplechain discovered the victim’s hand had been severed in an auger. However, due to his quick thinking and actions, he was able to apply a tourniquet and stop the bleeding until paramedics arrived.
Duplechain was recently presented with a plaque, as well as honored with a Life-Saving Pin Award.