Detective Douglas Buckler, 2016 Officer of the Year with Chief Deputy Steve Guidry (L), Sheriff Mike Tregre (R) and Raj Pannu (CR) of Pannu enterprises, Officer of the Year Sponsor
MEDAL OF HONOR AWARD
The highest award in the Sheriff’s Office, the Medal of Honor, was presented by Sheriff Tregre and Parish President Natalie Robottom to Jennifer Chauvin, the wife of the late St. John District Fire Chief Spencer Chauvin who also was a reserve officer, and Spencer’s family. This award is presented when a candidate has lost their life in the performance of his or her duties. It is presented for exceptional service, which is considered extremely hazardous, above and beyond the call of duty with the loss of life.
 Spencer Chauvin |
 Chauvin Family accepting award from Sheriff Mike Tregre and Parish President Natalie Robottom. |
LIFESAVING AWARDS
Two St John Sheriff’s Officers and one Civilian were honored with Lifesaving Awards at the Awards and Dinner ceremony for thier outstanding service to St John Parish.
 Cpl Anthony Grandolfo Patrol Division – 200 Shift |
On June 28, 2016, Cpl. Grandolfo responded to a medical emergency at a residence in LaPlace. Cpl. Grandolfo observed an infant who was not breathing. Deputy Grandolfo began providing rescue breaths. After the second rescue breath, the infant was able to breathe on her own. |
 Deputy Nico Paretti Patrol Division – 200 Shift |
On January 5, 2016, Deputy Paretti responded to a medical emergency at a residence in LaPlace. Upon arrival, Deputy Paretti observed an unresponsive man slouched over on a chair. After placing the man on the floor, Deputy Paretti checked for a pulse and breathing, to no avail. He then began CPR on the man. Shortly after beginning CPR, the man began breathing and a pulse was detected. |
 Josh Burns Civilian |
On October 21, 2016, Mr. Burns of Ponchatoula was traveling on Interstate 55 in LaPlace and observed a group of people standing on the side of the road and looking down over the side of the highway. A dump truck driver had gone over the side of the elevated portion. Mr. Burns jumped over the side into the murky water 30 feet below, broke a window with a sledge hammer someone had sent down using an electrical extension cord, and rescued the driver, a female passenger and the woman’s 4-year-old son. The man, woman and child suffered only minor injuries. |
Other Awards Presented
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DWI – Citizen Safety AwardThe first Citizens Safety Award was presented. Sheriff Tregre established this award to honor an officer for DWI arrests made. The recipient of the 2016 Citizens Safety Award was Deputy Anthony Preyan Jr. who had 24 DWI arrests last year. |
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2016 Unit Commendation AwardThe Special Operations Division was named Officers of the First Quarter, and the division also received the first Unit Commendation Award. The division was honored with both awards for exceptional work in taking illegal drugs and guns off the streets of our community. A few of this division’s major achievements were seizing thousands of Xanax pills worth more than $1.1 million and arresting 10 people, ending this nationwide Internet distribution system; stopping a large cocaine and heroin operation and recovering cash, firearms, and drugs valued at $480,000; and dismantling another drug and gun network responsible for several violent crimes in St. John Parish. Overall, in 2016, investigations conducted by the Special Operation Division led to the recovery of $600,000 in currency, about 100 firearms from dangerous criminals, about $2 million in narcotics and the arrest of more than 200 people. |
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2016 Distinguished Service AwardThe Distinguished Service Award was presented to an officer, who, while rendering services beyond the regular course of duty prevents or solves a major crime, apprehends a dangerous criminal, and exemplifies dedication towards service to the public and the Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Travis Joseph was presented the Distinguished Service Award. Sgt. Joseph was honored for his outstanding work during Operation Throw Me Something Mister. Over seven months, working undercover, Sgt. Joseph was able to make more than 80 undercover purchases that led to the arrest and conviction of over 40 offenders in St. John Parish. |
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2016 Sheriff’s Star AwardThe Sheriff’s Star, which is awarded to an employee or employees for outstanding service to the community and/or the SJSO as selected by Sheriff Tregre, was presented to Sgt. Kaiana Knight. Sgt. Knight is the medical supervisor in Corrections. Last year, she diligently worked to save the Sherman Walker Correctional Center over $100,000 in medical expenses. |
Recognized with longevity awards were Lt. Conrad Baker, Lt. Dane Clement, Deputy Stacey Millet, Deputy Dana Rousseve, Sgt. Leonard Sanders, Lt. Joseph Rosa, and Kenneth Oubre, 20 years; and Major Larry LeBlanc, Sgt. Lawrence Sylvain and Captain Jason Weber, 25 years.
Also recognized were the 2016 Officers of the Month
The Officers of the Month program is sponsored by the St. John Business Association for the SJSO. The 2016 Officers of the Month honorees were Patrol Deputy Gilberto Castellanos, Crime Scene Sgt. Faron “Slim†Duhe, Crime Scene Deputy Michael Schaeffer, School Resource Deputy Anthony Ealy, Criminal Investigations Division Detective Ann Taylor, Criminal Investigations Division Lt. Christy Chauvin, K-9 and Patrol Deputy Kendel Harris, and Communications Deputy Amanda Tamplain.
Also recognized were the 2016 Officers of the Quarter
Officers of the 1st Quarter
Sponsored by Louisiana Federal Credit Union
Special Operations Division
The Special Operations Division was named Officers of the First Quarter, and the division also received the first Unit Commendation Award. The division was honored with both awards for exceptional work in taking illegal drugs and guns off the streets of our community. A few of this division’s major achievements were seizing thousands of Xanax pills worth more than $1.1 million and arresting 10 people, ending this nationwide Internet distribution system; stopping a large cocaine and heroin operation and recovering cash, firearms, and drugs valued at $480,000; and dismantling another drug and gun network responsible for several violent crimes in St. John Parish. Overall, in 2016, investigations conducted by the Special Operation Division led to the recovery of $600,000 in currency, about 100 firearms from dangerous criminals, about $2 million in narcotics and the arrest of more than 200 people.
Officer of the 2nd Quarter
Sponsored by Cool Concepts
Patrol Deputy Terence Calais was honored as Officer of the Second Quarter for outstanding work in making four arrests in connection with the seizure of two stolen guns and marijuana. This investigation began from a traffic stop. On June 5, 2016, while patrolling alone in a high crime area of Garyville, Deputy Calais observed a vehicle occupied by four males disregard a stop sign, and he initiated a traffic stop. While doing a computer check, Deputy Calais learned the driver had an active warrant for unauthorized use of a movable and a passenger had a fugitive warrant from East Baton Rouge for simple burglary. Deputy Calais also noticed another passenger seated in the rear of the vehicle making sudden movements, appearing to be nervous, and preparing to flee from the vehicle. Deputy Calais then called for assistance. Once back-up arrived, deputies detained all suspects. Once the subjects were removed from the vehicle, Deputy Calais could smell marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A further investigation by Deputy Calais revealed the subjects in the vehicle were attempting to conceal two guns, an assault rifle and a handgun. Deputy Calais then conducted a check that revealed the handgun was reported stolen from Jefferson Parish. Deputy Calais utilized vigilant police work during a dangerous situation.
Officer of the 3rd Quarter
Sponsored by Stein’s Cleaners
Detective Douglas Buckler of the SJSO’s Special Operations Division, the Officer of Third Quarter, was named Officer of the Year. Buckler was honored for outstanding work, particularly during an investigation into a criminal network consisting of several individuals with violent histories in St. John Parish.
Det Buckler was later honored with the 2016 Officer of the Year Award, presented to him by Sheriff Mike Tregre, and Raj Pannu of Pannu Enterprises, Sponsor of the Officer of the Year award.
Officer of the 4th Quarter
Sponsored by Regions Bank
Patrol Deputies Christopher Toups and Sid Triche were recognized as Officers of the Fourth Quarter. Deputy Toups and Sgt. Triche were chosen Officers of the Fourth Quarter for going above and beyond to assist an ill elderly man during a welfare check. On December 9, the officers responded to a LaPlace residence in reference to a welfare check. The man, who uses a wheelchair, was left in the care of family members while his wife was in the hospital for a few days. Upon arrival, Deputy Toups and Sgt. Triche observed the man laying in a bed in unsanitary conditions. After processing the scene and completing paperwork, they collected the soiled sheets from the bed, disposed of them, and flipped the mattress so the man would have a clean place to sleep since this bed was the only one in the home.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite, Keynote Speaker
Sheriff Mike Tregre also thanked the Sponsors of the Officer of the Quarters for 2016
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1st Quarter Louisiana Federal Credit Union |
2nd Quarter Cool Concepts |
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3rd Quarter Stein’s Cleaners |
4th Quarter Regions Bank |
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Special thanks to Maddie Millet, who sang the National Anthem, and our 2016 Honorary Sheriff’s for the Day, Matthew Schexnayder of St Joan of Arc and Katelyn Wale of Riverside Academy, who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
