St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies make Christmas brighter for several St. Bernard families

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Communications, Corrections and Marine Divisions recently presented Chalmette resident Jessica Joyce and her family with gifts for Christmas, including toys, bicycles, and a bunk bed and chest of drawers for her sons.	Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Communications, Corrections and Marine Divisions recently presented Allie and Johnathon Barefoot and their family with gifts for Christmas.
Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Communications, Corrections and Marine Divisions recently presented the family of Stephanie Lawson and Amanda Hill with gifts for Christmas, along with some essential items like a living room sofa.	Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Communications, Corrections and Marine Divisions recently presented Ronald Ecklund and his family with gifts for Christmas.
Sgt. Jennifer Garofalo helps one of Jessica Joyce’s sons on his new bicycle.	Chaplain Aaron Johnson, left, and Sgt. Shane Lulei help deliver a bunk bed to Chalmette resident Jessica Joyce and her family.
Col. Kevin Sensebe, left, and Capt. Dennis Morgan carry a chest of drawers in the home of Chalmette resident Jessica Joyce.	Lt. Lacye Lulei, left, and Sgt. Shane Lulei unload some of the Christmas gifts presented to a Chalmette family this holiday season.
Dep. Richard Scheuermann helps Chalmette resident Jessica Joyce and her son enjoy one of the bicycles they received for Christmas.	Sgt. Jeff Babin happily carries on some of the gifts given to a Chalmette family this holiday season.

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Communications, Corrections and Marine Divisions recently made Christmas brighter for several St. Bernard Parish families by presenting them with some holiday essentials like Christmas trees, toys and some much-needed household items, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Representatives from the Communications, Corrections and Marine Divisions – Col. Kevin Sensebe, Maj. Angie Huff, Capt. Dennis Morgan, Lt. Jamie Penton, Lt. Lacye Lulei, Sgt. Jennifer Garofalo, Sgt. Shannon Cooper, Sgt. Jeff Babin, Sgt. Shane Lulei, Sgt. Louis Mowers, Dep. Darlene Ricks and Dep. Richard Scheuermann, along with Chaplain Aaron Johnson – presented four Chalmette families with gifts such as bicycles, clothing, toiletries and furniture.

The gifts were made possible by donations from deputies and the following sponsors: Hamilton’s Furniture, AARP, St. Bernard Rod Knockers Car Club, Bite Rite, Inc., Dr. Britsch Jr.’s Office, Associated Terminals, LLC, City Tele-coin Company, Inc., The Home Depot, MeMe’s Restaurant, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Uniforms Plus.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office holds sobriety checkpoint

Deputies with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office conduct a sobriety checkpoint on Dec. 21 in Arabi.

Lt. Brent Bourgeois speaks with a driver during a sobriety checkpoint held in Arabi on Dec. 21.

Deputies with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office conducted a sobriety checkpoint in Arabi on the evening of Dec. 21.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said officers stopped vehicles to check for impaired drivers and ensure the safety of motorists during this busy holiday season.

St. Bernard Parish motorists are reminded the Sheriff’s Office safe ride home program will continue through Jan. 2.

The free Holiday Ride Home program was started in St . Bernard Parish in 1986 and was the first of its kind in the New Orleans area.

Residents who have too much to drink during the holiday season to call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 to receive a free ride home from a deputy, no questions asked.

A Sheriff’s Office deputy will pick you up and take you to your home in St. Bernard or, if you live outside the parish, they will take you to a Sheriff’s substation where you can make arrangements to be picked up by a friend or family member.

About two dozen people take advantage of the program each year.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Administrative Office Holiday Closure Times

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office administrative offices will be closed on Dec. 22, Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday.

The office will be open Dec. 27 and 28 during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The administrative offices also will be closed on Dec. 29 and Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday.

Normal business hours will resume Jan. 2 at 8:30 a.m.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program graduations

Sgt. Darrin Miller speaks with Our Lady of Prompt Succor School fifth graders prior to the start of their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation held Dec. 19 at the school.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks to Our Lady of Prompt Succor School students about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol during their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation. With Sheriff Pohlmann on stage are, from left: Lt. Robert Broadhead, Capt. Ronnie Martin and Col. Robert McNab.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor fifth-grader Abbey Sweeney with D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors Lt. Lisa Jackson, left, and Sgt. Darrin Miller, right.	Our Lady of Prompt Succor fifth-grader Lacie Meyers, right, and her fellow D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduates wait their turn to cross the stage and receive their certificates of completion.

More than 300 St. Bernard Parish fifth graders graduated from the fall semester of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, taught in St. Bernard Parish schools by program supervisor Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, is aimed at discouraging youngsters from using drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, or taking part in violence or the bullying of others.

Thirty-four Our Lady of Prompt Succor students graduated from the program in a ceremony held Dec. 19 at the school.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program graduations

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann helps Arabi Elementary School fifth-grader Mark Loustalot with a necklace that was included in the bag of goodies he received for being a D.A.R.E. anti-drug program first-place essay winner.

Lt. Lisa Jackson, right, and Lt. Rickey Jackson present Arabi Elementary School students with their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program certificates of completion.

Arabi Elementary School students who were named D.A.R.E anti-drug program first-place essay contest winners are, first row, from left: Mark Loustalot, Brennin Blum, Alyssa Edenfield and Charle’ Bright. Second row, from left, are: Arabi Elementary Student of the Year Robyn Hyas, and second-place D.A.R.E essay winners, from left: Victoria Thomas, Tina Nguyen, Samira Kandous and Daphny Hays. Third row, from left, are: St. Bernard School Board Member Katherine Lemoine, Lt. Rickey Jackson, Lt. Lisa Jackson, Capt. Ronnie Martin, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Lt. Robert Broadhead, Col. Robert McNab, and Arabi Elementary Principal Carla Carollo.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann talks to Arabi Elementary School students who graduated from the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program.

More than 300 St. Bernard Parish fifth graders graduated from the fall semester of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, taught in St. Bernard Parish schools by program supervisor Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, is aimed at discouraging youngsters from using drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, or taking part in violence or the bullying of others.

Ninety Arabi Elementary School students graduated from the program in a ceremony held Dec. 14 at the school.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office holds appreciation dinner for Reserve Division deputies

Capt. Charles Borchers, commander of the Reserve Division, second from right, addresses the crowd at the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division appreciation dinner.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Maj. David DiMaggio, right, present St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputy Don Powell with a certificate for perfect attendance at the Pre Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police training class.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Maj. David DiMaggio, right, present St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputy Larry Wilson with a second place certificate for academics.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Maj. David DiMaggio, right, present St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputy Fred Schmiderer with a certificate for first place in academics.
Rita Gue with the Meraux Foundation, left, presented Sheriff James Pohlmann with a donation for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division during a banquet held to honor the volunteer deputies.	Following an appreciation dinner and the presentation of awards, a cake was served to St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division deputies for their dedicated service.
St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputies Corey Gonzales, left, and Simon Gonzales, right, enjoy a celebration held Dec. 14 in honor of Reserve Division deputies. Also pictured is Chloe Mahaffey.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputies Sal D’Antoni, left, and Michael B. Chutz, right, enjoy a dinner held in honor of all Reserve Division deputies.

A celebration was held Dec. 14 to honor members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The banquet, held at Rocky and Carlo’s Sicilian Room in Chalmette, included dinner and the presentation of various certificates of accomplishment to Reserve Division deputies – unpaid, volunteer officers who supplement the department’s police force in specific situations.

Capt. Charles Borchers, commander of the Reserve Division, said Reserve officers work during large scale events such as festivals, parades and athletic events throughout the parish, as well as performing extra patrols at local businesses during the busy holiday shopping season.

During the banquet, Reserve Deputies Don Powell and Earl Bush both received certificates for perfect attendance at the Pre Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police training class. Reserve Deputy Fred Schmiderer received a certificate for first place in academics, and Larry Wilson received second place.

Rita and Floyd Gue and Chris and Bill Haines with the Meraux Foundation also were in attendance to present the Sheriff’s Office with a donation for the Reserve Division.

Sheriff Pohlmann thanked the Reserve Division deputies during the banquet for their devoted services.

“We couldn’t do what we do so efficiently without the help of our Reserve Division deputies,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Capt. Borchers said there are currently about two dozen Reserve Division deputies, and the department always welcomes new applicants.

“You do not need a background in law enforcement,” Capt. Borchers said. “We provide all training and supply uniforms as well.”

Reserve Division deputies attend an 80-hour basic law enforcement in-service training course, twice a week for 10 weeks. Capt. Borchers said many Reserve Division deputies have gone on to become full-time, paid officers.

To apply, Capt. Borchers said a person must meet the following criteria:

-Live in St. Bernard Parish
-Be at least 21 years old
-Have earned a high school diploma or GED
-Have a clean police record; background checks will be conducted.

For more information, or to obtain an application, contact Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7799.

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Knights of Columbus names Sheriff’s Deputy, Firefighter and Paramedic of the Year

Each year, the Knights of Columbus Archbishop Rummel Council 5747 in Chalmette recognizes a local sheriff’s deputy, firefighter and paramedic of the year for their service to the residents of St. Bernard Parish. This year’s honorees are, starting third from left: Dep. Dixie Dusang, Fire Capt. Rodney Ourso and Paramedic Steven Givens. With the honorees are, from left: Knights of Columbus Community Chairman Cisco Gonzales Sr., Deputy Grand Knight Tony Deluca and Grand Knight Dennis Bourgeois.

The Knights of Columbus Archbishop Rummel Council 5747 made a donation to the Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division during its annual banquet held to honor the deputy, firefighter and paramedic of the year. From left, are: Knights of Columbus Community Chairman Cisco Gonzales Sr. and Deputy Grand Knight Tony Deluca, Sgt. Eric Eilers, Knights of Columbus Treasurer Tony Jeansonne, Sheriff James Pohlmann, and Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Dennis Bourgeois and Recorder Ruben Saavedra.

Each year, the Knights of Columbus Archbishop Rummel Council 5747 in Chalmette recognizes a local sheriff’s deputy, firefighter and paramedic of the year for their service to the residents of St. Bernard Parish.

Deputy Dixie Dusang, a four-year veteran of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, was named Deputy of the Year. Capt. Rodney Ourso, a 25-year veteran of the St. Bernard Fire Department, was named Firefighter of the Year, and Steven Givens, a six-year veteran with Acadian Ambulance, was named Paramedic of the Year.

The three first responders were honored during a banquet held Dec. 17 at the Knights of Columbus hall on Paris Road in Chalmette. In addition to presenting the honorees with plaques, they each also were given monetary donations from the organization. The Knights also gave a donation to the Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division.

Dep. Dixie Dusang’s first experience in law enforcement came in 2012 as a volunteer deputy with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division. One year later, Dep. Dusang was hired as a full-time, paid deputy and member of the department’s Corrections Division where she spent two years working at St. Bernard Parish Prison.

In 2015, Dep. Dusang graduated from Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police academy, and she joined the Patrol Division’s Second Platoon. In 2016, she attended a 3-day Advanced Roadside Impairment Driving Enforcement course, and she also earned a coveted spot in the department’s Motorcycle Division.

Born and raised in Hall County, Georgia, Dep. Dusang, now 30, has called St. Bernard Parish home since 2009. She resides in Meraux with her husband and St. Bernard native, Jay, and their two young children.

Dep. Dusang’s passion for helping the people of the place she now calls home is evident to everyone she meets, especially two of her ranking officers, Lt. Richard Barr and Sgt. Jorge Vargas.

“The empathy that she carries with her on calls is exceptional,” Lt. Barr said. “She understands the things people are going through and she is able to relate in a very constructive way which enables her to control the scene and keep things at a norm.”

In September, 2017, Lt. Barr said, Dep. Dusang answered a call for service involving a small child approximately 2 years of age who was seen wandering alone and unsupervised in a Chalmette neighborhood. Dep. Dusang located the child and walked the block, knocking on doors until the child’s family was located. Dep. Dusang’s investigation subsequently included the arrests of two subjects, and resulted in the opening of additional investigations.

Lt. Barr said Dep. Dusang does whatever it takes to get the task at hand done, at times going above and beyond. He is especially proud of her for completing the rigorous Motorcycle School.

“It’s extremely challenging, and there’s a high dropout rate, even among big, strong men,” Lt. Barr said, “but Dep. Dusang pulled it off. She was bruised up and injured, but she completed it. I couldn’t be more impressed with her.”

Sgt. Vargas also commends Dep. Dusang for her dedication to the department and the people she serves.

“She has proven herself as a very good deputy,” Sgt. Vargas said. “In addition to being a mother of two, Dep. Dusang is extremely dedicated to this department. Some people see this as a job, but she sees it as a career.”

While a police officer’s job can be extremely challenging in today’s world, Dep. Dusang always strives to find the silver lining, and is the epitome of humble.

On an recent August afternoon, Dep. Dusang was approached by a man at a local gas station who asked if she remembered him. Dep. Dusang could not recall where they had met, but the man went on to say, “Six months ago I woke up to horrible pain and your face,” the man said. “You were giving me a sternum rub after I overdosed. I kept trying to go back out, but you kept me awake. I cursed you out. I just wanted to say I’m sorry and thank you. I’ve been completely clean since that day.”

Dep. Dusang said she doesn’t like to brag, but it’s moments like the encounter with that man that make her love what she does.

“St. Bernard is where I’ve chosen to call home and raise my children so protecting my community and making it a safe place for them to grow up is a top priority,” she said. “I enjoy my job because it gives me a purpose and the opportunity to interact with such a variety of people from all walks of life and hopefully impact their lives in a positive way.”

Knight of Columbus Community Chairman Cisco Gonzales Sr. said the Knights of Columbus gives the awards “to recognize our public servants. We appreciate the work they do in this parish.’’

Sheriff James Pohlmann thanked the Knights of Columbus for recognizing the public servants in St. Bernard Parish.

“We have some top notch first responders working here in the Sheriff’s Office, the Fire Department and for Acadian Ambulance,” the Sheriff said.

The Sheriff also praised Dep. Dusang, who stands tall at 6’4”, as being a “great deputy, one that both men and women can look up to, both literally and figuratively.”

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to hold sobriety checkpoint

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in St. Bernard Parish on Thursday, Dec. 21, beginning at 7:30 p.m. and continuing through 12:30 a.m. on the morning of Friday, Dec. 22.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said officers will set up on an undisclosed roadway to stop vehicles to check for impaired drivers. Anyone found driving impaired from alcohol or drugs will be arrested.

The location of the checkpoint will not be disclosed.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office receives 20 bicycles from Associated Terminals

Associated Terminals, exclusive operator of the Port of St. Bernard’s marine facilities, has once again donated 20 bicycles to the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to give to needy St. Bernard children for Christmas.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said recipients of the bicycles have been chosen and will be presented with them before Christmas.

Associated Terminals, the largest midstream stevedoring company on the Mississippi River, operates at sites including the Chalmette Slip in St. Bernard Parish, and in Plaquemines Parish and Reserve.

Sheriff Pohlmann met Dec. 13 with Jason Perez and Forrest Russell, Associated Terminals’ operations managers, and Leroy Mack, the facility’s senior journeyman, to receive the girls’ and boys’ bicycles.

“We are thrilled to be able to help make this Christmas brighter for the boys and girls of St. Bernard Parish who will receive these bicycles thanks to the generosity of Associated Terminals,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “They have been helping us help others for years.’’

Associated Terminals has donated bicycles to the Sheriff’s Office at Christmas since 2005. The company also donates bicycles to several other groups in St. Bernard, including schools, churches and the St. Bernard Battered Women’s Shelter.

Employees at Associated Terminals donate money to help fund the bicycle project.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program graduations

Lt. Daniel Bostic, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, speaks to Chalmette Elementary School D.A.R.E. graduates about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol.	Parents of Chalmette Elementary School fifth-graders who completed the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. anti-drug program proudly film their children during their graduation ceremony.
Lt. Lisa Jackson, left, and Sgt. Darrin Miller, right, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors, present certificates of completion to D.A.R.E. graduates at Chalmette Elementary.	Chalmette Elementary School fifth-graders Nate Silva, left, and Joseph Valesquez enjoy some pizza following their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony.
A D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduate from Chalmette Elementary is congratulated by Lt. Richard Mendel, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Crime Investigations Bureau. Also pictured are, from left: Sgt. Darrin Miller and Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors; Col. Robert McNab, commander of the Special Investigations Division; and Lt. Daniel Bostic, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit.	Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, shows off one of the water bottles presented to graduates of the program.

More than 300 St. Bernard Parish fifth-graders will graduate from the fall semester of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, taught in St. Bernard Parish schools by program supervisor Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, is aimed at discouraging youngsters from using drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, or taking part in violence or the bullying of others.

Ninety Chalmette Elementary School students graduated from the program in a ceremony held Dec. 7 at the school.

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