2022 1st 6 Month Newsletter
2022 Jan. - June 6 Month Newsletter
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JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE JANUARY - JUNE 2022 6 MONTH NEWSLETTER |
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D.A. Presents Check The Jefferson Davis Parish District Attorney's Office presented the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office with a check for over $409,000. The funding provided for the check was the result of a recent Interstate traffic stop, when JDSO Deputy Christopher LaFleur and his K-9 Rocky discovered a large cache of drugs and cash in a vehicle. After adhering to the proper procedures following a stop of that nature, the money was presented to the Sheriff's Office to utilize for the improvement of the agency. Pictured here (from L to R) are Interim D.A. Elliot Cassidy, Dy. Christopher LaFleur and JDSO Sheriff Ivy Woods. |
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Community Prayer Shield Members of the Community Prayer Shield, a local outreach group, visited the Sheriff's Office to deliver snacks and treats in appreciation for law enforcement. The Prayer Shield also delivers daily prayer messages to the agency via email. Pictured here (from L to R) are Special Operations Commander Bill Kettler, Patrol Commander Doug Britnell, Sheriff Ivy Woods, Community Prayer Shield volunteers Marcia Phiffer and Karen Walker. |
Supporting Every Generation
From the youngest to the oldest, Sheriff Ivy Woods believes in supporting the youth of our communities, as well as our citizens in their golden years and everyone in between.
From sports to scholarships, and everything in between, providing encouragement and assistance to student and youth groups is one of his greatest personal interests. He also ensures that our parish elderly are cared for and appreciated. Making sure members of our future generation receive the encouragement to succeed, as well as showing respect to those who have paved the way for us today.
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Charlie McNabb with Sheriff Ivy Woods |
Sheriff Woods supports local Livestock Winners Sheriff Ivy Woods regularly shows overwhelming support for youth and student activities, including the local 4-H Livestock shows. Charlie McNabb of Welsh and Emily Dupuis of Jennings were recognized by the Sheriff for their time and dedication to the Louisiana Livestock Program. |
Emily Dupuis with Sheriff Ivy Woods |
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Haydon LeJeune with Sheriff Ivy Woods |
Sheriff presents LSA Scholarship Each year, the Louisiana Sheriff's Association (LSA) allocates a $500 Scholarship for one student from each parish. The recipient of the 2021/22 school year was Welsh High School graduate Haydon LeJeune. Haydon was required to complete his first semester of secondary education at a Louisiana college or vocational school. He then presented proof of completion of his first semester to receive his $500 LSA check to use at his own discretion. Sheriff Ivy Woods presented Hayden with his Scholarship check. Congratulations Haydon! |
Jeff Davis Parish Council on Aging Annual Mardi Gras Party
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Pictured here (from L to R): Commander Bill Kettler, Bridgit Woods, Sheriff Ivy Woods, SRO Deputy Tiffany Bertrand and COA Director Helen Langley. |
In conjunction with the Jeff Davis Parish (JDP) Council on Aging (COA), Members of the Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Ivy Woods participate in the annual Mardi Gras Party for parish seniors. They assist in everything from serving guests their plates and beverages, to passing out door prizes. The party is held at the Lacassine Community Center and Sheriff Woods provides the jambalaya luncheon, as well as assists during the festivities. His wife, Bridgit, also helps to judge for the Best Dressed Mardi Gras Reveler, Best Mardi Gras Dancers, Most Mardi Gras Spirit and the 2022 Mardi Gras Krewe De Wise King and Queen. |
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Seniors from residential homes throughout the parish, as well as seniors from private assisted living homes, look forward to the annual Mardi Gras celebration. Many arrive in full regalia to enjoy the festivities. |
JDPSO Elderly Affairs Deputy Ella Dartez-Williams encourages seniors to stay active. |
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Queen Ella Stansberry King Ervin Malveau |
King Ervin Malveau and Queen Ella Stansberry with Sheriff Ivy Woods |
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Best Dressed Woman: Debbie Soileau |
Best Dressed Man: L J Menard |
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Most Mardi Gras Spirit: Betty LeGros |
Best Female Dancer: Joyce Hebert |
Best Male Dancer: August Hebert |
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2022 Krewe De Wise Court Pictured here (L to R) are: Best Male Dancer August Hebert, Best Female Dancer Joyce Hebert, Ms. Bridgit Woods, Sheriff Ivy Woods, King Ervin Malveau, Queen Ella Stansberry, Best Dressed Man L J Menard, Best Dressed Woman Debbie Soileau and Most Mardi Gras Spirit Betty LeGros. |
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Sheriff Attends Indigent Veterans Service Sheriff Ivy Woods was presented with a folded American flag in honor of one of six indigent veterans who were laid to rest with full military honors at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery (SLVC). The six veterans laid to rest included Pvt. Darryl A. Lowry, Army; Spc. James Cecil Osborne, Army; Cpl. Alton Eugene Caudle, Marines; Seaman Recruit Steve Edward Bihlmire, Navy and Petty Officer 3rd Class Dean Ira Hurst, Navy. Cemetery staff, in partnership with the St. Mary Parish Coroner's Office and veterans' assistance counselors worked to locate the families of these veterans, but none were found. Sheriff Woods was one of six dignitaries who was presented with a burial flag for each of the deceased soldiers. Sheriff Woods received the burial flag for Sgt. Hall, while LDVA Deputy Chief of Staff Dustin Guy received Pvt. Lowry's flag, SMP Sheriff's Office and Desert Storm Veteran Gary Driskel received Spc. Osborne's flag, Amy Guidroz, representing SMP Coroner's office received Cpl. Caudle's flag, Sam Doucet, representing American Legion Post 19 received Seaman Recruit Bihlmire's flag and Claude Boudreaux, representing VFW Patterson Memorial Post 12182 received Petty Officer 3rd Class Hurst's flag. |
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JDPSO shows support at D.A. COA Crawfish Boil The District Attorney hosts the Annual Senior Citizen Appreciation Crawfish Boil for parish seniors. Sheriff Ivy Woods, along with members of the Sheriff's Office, local high school students, nursing home workers and members of the Jeff Davis Parish (JDP) Council on Aging (COA) were on hand with D.A. Lauren Heinen to eagerly step up and ensure that guests have a great day. |
Young volunteers fill and prepare platters of hot boiled crawfish for senior guests. |
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Volunteers help seniors peel crawfish. |
District Attorney Lauren Heinen visits with seniors. |
While seniors enjoy the crawfish boil, Sheriff Ivy Woods makes sure plates are cleared as necessary, and guests have everything they need to enjoy the meal.
Deputies Recognized for Outstanding Performance
Three deputies with the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office (JDSO) recently received commendations for their dedication to public service.
Patrol Sergeant Christopher LaFleur, as well as Patrol Deputies Ferroll LeBlanc and Tony Clement were recognized for their outstanding public service during three separate incidents.
From L to R: Chief Deputy Christopher Ivey, Patrol Commander Douglas Britnell, Patrol Deputy Ferroll LeBlanc, Patrol Deputy Tony Clement, Patrol Sgt. Christopher LaFleur and Sheriff Ivy Woods.
Deputy Ferroll LeBlanc and Deputy Tony Clement - In the early morning hours of Thursday, February 17, 2022, 911 operators received a call regarding a tractor trailer crash in the westbound lane of Interstate 10, near the milepost 59 exit. Dispatchers advised deputies that there were occupants trapped inside a burning vehicle. Shortly after city police officers arrived on the scene, Dy. Ferroll LeBlanc, as well as Dy. Tony Clement, also arrived to assist in the successful extraction of the two occupants of the vehicle, as well as their dog, before it became fully engulfed by flames.
Both occupants were transported to a nearby hospital where they received treatment.
In a separate and unrelated incident that occurred on Sunday, February 20, 2022, Deputy Tony Clement was dispatched to a residence in Roanoke, Louisiana, in reference to stray dog that was trying to attack the complainant's dog. During the investigation, he learned that the stray dog had been there for several days, and no one knew who it belonged to.
Because the parish currently has no animal control facility, Dy. Clement requested permission to take the dog into his care during his shift until he could take it to a shelter. During this time, he observed the dog obeying commands and felt that it must be someone's lost pet. He posted a photo of the dog on Facebook, which ultimately lead to the discovery of the owner.
It was also later discovered that the dog, Bruce, had jumped out of the bed of his owner's truck at the Peto's Travel Center several days prior, and his owner had been looking for him.
Because of Clement's decision to go above and beyond, Bruce the dog was kept safe until he and his owner were reunited.
Deputy Clement showed compassion, integrity and went above and beyond to take initiative in doing the right thing. This simple gesture and commitment to the community is the sort of behavior JDSO is proud to see in our Deputies.
Deputy Clement humanized the badge and in doing so, honored our department's mission statement.
Sgt. Christopher LaFleur - On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Sergeant Christopher LaFleur aided investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) in the location and apprehension of a burglary suspect, recover stolen property and dismantle a marijuana cultivation operation, all in one night.
On Monday, February 28, 2022, CID investigators responded to a residential burglary in Lake Arthur. Surveillance video footage from the home provided investigators with a description of the suspect's vehicle.
Just a few days after the reported burglary, while patrolling the Lake Arthur area, LaFleur observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle and maintained surveillance from a safe distance while waiting for investigators to arrive.
His logistical support was instrumental in aiding CID to accomplish their mission. Sergeant LaFleur's keen observation and diligence led investigators to make arrests of suspects involved in the residential burglary and the recovery of valuable evidence, as well as the dismantling of a marijuana cultivation operation from a second home. Sergeant LaFleur's years of experience is an asset to the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office and the Uniform Patrol Division.
These law enforcement officers exhibited courage in the face of danger and compassion for all the occupants. They displayed strength and dedication, as well as displayed an exemplary example of what it truly means to be a public servant.
For their exemplary actions in the line of duty, Deputies Ferrell LeBlanc and Tony Clement each received the Life Saving Award, and Sergeant Christopher LaFleur and Deputy Tony Clement received the Commanders Commendation Certificate.
Congratulations Deputies LeBlanc, Clement and LaFleur on a job well done!
JDPSO MISSION STATEMENT: "The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office is committed to maintaining excellence in law enforcement and is dedicated to serve and protect the people, traditions, and diversity of our community. We aim to achieve this goal by continued aspiration and dedication to high standards of professionalism in policing through integrity, innovation, and training."
JDPSO Supports JDP Special Olympics
Sheriff Ivy Woods holds an annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser for a local non-profit organization. This year, the recipient of the fundraiser is the Jeff Davis Parish School Board (JDPSB) Special Education (SpEd.) Department. The tournament generated $14,000 towards the JDPSB SpEd. Dept. Because of this donation, the SpEd. Dept. was able to host the Special Olympics in Jeff Davis Parish for the first time in 15 years.
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Pictured here (L to R) are: JDPSB Assistant Superintendent Kirk Crader, SpEd. Director Jeremy Fuselier, JDPSO Secretary Aubrey Broussard and Sheriff Ivy Woods. |
Pictured here (L to R) are: SpEd. Instructor Roselind Broussard, JDPSO Secretary Aubrey Broussard, SpEd. Director Jeremy Fuselier, JDPSB member Jimmy Segura and JDPSB Superintendent Kirk Crader. |
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Special Education Students from each school banded together to kick off the beginning of this year's Special Olympics Event. |
Special Education Students from Lake Arthur High School |
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Special Education Students from Roanoke Middle School |
Special Education Students from Lacassine High School |
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Deputy Recognized by Jennings Optimist Club Deputy Tyler Breaux was recognized by the Jennings Optimist Club for his outstanding performance as a law enforcement officer. With a 19-year career in law enforcement, Dy. Breaux is one of the Sheriff's Office D.A.R.E. Officers. As a D.A.R.E. Officer, Deputy Breaux teaches students the importance of making good life decisions. Part of his responsibility is to teach youth the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and how to recognize and take an active stand against bullying, as well as how to take steps towards happy and healthy living. Deputy Breaux is a devoted law enforcement officer with a strong faith in God and an exceptional character. The community of Jefferson Davis Parish is stronger because of his daily dedication to our youth. Congratulations Dy. Breaux! |