Archives: January2020

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding missing Arabi resident

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding an Arabi resident who has been missing since last weekend, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Linda Diane Smith, 67, left her home in the 100 block of Llama Drive in Arabi between 5 and 7 p.m. on the evening of Jan. 19, and has not returned home or been heard from since.

Smith is a black female with brown hair and brown eyes. She is 5’3” tall and weighs 150 lbs.

Smith was last seen wearing a brown V-neck shirt, brown and white pants, black shoes and a long black overcoat with a hood.

Family members say Smith, who suffers from dementia, is believed to have left on foot.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Smith is asked to contact the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office recruiting 911 Communications Center deputies

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office recruiting 911 Communications Center deputies

They’re the first point of contact for a person in need, or the true first, first responders, but 911 operators are often overlooked and underrated among law enforcement and emergency response professionals.

Although often the unsung heroes, Sheriff James Pohlmann said, 911 operators play a vital role in law enforcement, serving as the link between the caller and deputies who can provide safety and emergency medical professionals who can render aid.

“They need to be able to think fast, ask the right questions and get help on the way as quickly as possible,” the Sheriff said. “They’re also responsible for keeping track of where our deputies are at all times and being there for them in their time of need as well, whether it be providing them with valuable information or sending backup their way.”

A 911 operator must be able to act calmly while taking control in chaotic and stressful situations, the Sheriff said, often times making split decisions that could make a difference between a life and death situation. They’re required to gather essential information from callers and dispatch the appropriate first responders to the scene as quickly as possible.

They must be organized, adept at multitasking, level-headed and trustworthy. It’s also important for them to be compassionate, yet unwavering in various types of situations, the Sheriff said.

Due to these types of demands, the Sheriff said, advanced on-the-job training is mandatory for deputies in the Communications Division, which operates the 911 emergency system from its headquarters on West St. Bernard Highway in Arabi.

“All training is hands-on and is often stringent and rigorous,” said Maj. Angie Huff, commander of the 911 Communications Center. “There’s an extensive training program that consists of four different phases that takes no less than six months to finish. It’s imperative they be well-trained to handle any situation.”

Maj. Huff said deputies work 12-hour shifts and are cross trained in all of the following positions: call taker, dispatcher and NCIC dispatcher.

The role of a call taker includes answering all incoming calls that come in through the 911 line, as well as the non-emergency line, and handling them accordingly, Maj. Huff said. Call takers must have strong communication and typing skills, along with a positive and caring attitude.

Call takers must remain calm in stressful situations, while gathering accurate information and establishing priorities. This deputy must efficiently provide details to dispatchers, as well as other emergency service personnel such as fire department officials and emergency medical technicians.

Maj. Huff said dispatchers gather information provided by the call taker and assign the appropriate officer on duty to respond to that call. This deputy also has to keep track of the location of all officers on duty, whether they are on an assigned call or a call generated through instances such as a traffic stop, flag down or car broken down on the highway.

The NCIC dispatchers gather information from officers in the field such as a subject’s name or a vehicle’s license plate in order to advise deputies if the person of interest has any outstanding warrants or if a vehicle is listed as stolen. Maj. Huff said this deputy is required to do a certain level of investigating to find all the information needed by the officer. During high call volume times, this deputy also helps answer incoming calls.

During a typical shift, Maj. Huff said, there are no less than five deputies working in the 911 center; however, for large scale events such as festivals and parades there could be as many as 10 working at one time.

In an average month, Maj. Huff said the 911 Communications Center receives more than 2,000 calls, mostly for things such as suspicious activity, disturbances, alarms, reckless driving and lockouts.

In addition to being at least 21 years old and having a high school diploma or GED, pre-employment screenings include: an extensive criminal background check, an oral interview, typing, spelling and multitasking tests, polygraph, drug screening, and medical examination. Applicants also must have a clean driving record, computer literacy and a typing speed of at least 35 wpm.

The starting salary for a deputy in the Communications Division is based on experience and education. Benefits include health insurance, dental and vision plans, life insurance, vacation and sick leave, pension plan and credit union access.

Anyone interested in obtaining information about a career in law enforcement as a 911 Communications Center deputy, can call (504) 271-2501. Applications are available online at sbso.org or by visiting the Sheriff’s Office at #2 Courthouse Square in Chalmette, directly behind the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse.

Consider joining St. Bernard’s finest in “Keeping St. Bernard Safe.”

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Three St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies receive Kiwanis Club Life Saver Award

Three St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies receive Kiwanis Club Life Saver Award

Three members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office were awarded the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi Life Saver Award at a banquet hosted by Kiwanis on Jan. 14 at Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Lt. Lacye Lulei, Dep. Alisha Casbon and Dep. Darrien Dufrene, all 911 Communications Center dispatchers, were honored for their efforts to save the life of a person overdosing outside the Communications Center in Chalmette.

On Sept. 10, 2019, Sheriff Pohlmann said, as Lt. Lulei, Dep. Casbon and Dep. Dufrene exited the Communications Center after finishing their shift, they were approached by a male who advised them his girlfriend was in his truck in the parking lot overdosing on narcotics.

While Dep. Casbon ran back inside the 911 Center to advise nightshift 911 dispatchers the female was not breathing and to call Acadian Ambulance and the St. Bernard Fire Department, Lt. Lulei and Dep. Dufrene got the female out of the vehicle and onto the ground, and started performing CPR.

Once the Fire Department arrived on the scene, Narcan was administered and the female was transported by Acadian to St. Bernard Parish Hospital awake and alert.

“If not for the quick thinking and reactions of Lt. Lulei, Dep. Casbon and Dep. Dufrene, the outcome may have been much different,” said Maj. Angie Huff, commander of the 911 Communications Center.

Lt. Lulei has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2007, Dep. Casbon started in 2011, and Dep. Dufrene was hired in 2018. Lt. Lulei and Dep. Casbon are both graduates of P.O.S.T, or Police Officer Standards in Training police academy.

Sheriff Pohlmann praised the deputies at the banquet for their efforts which saved the woman’s life, and also for their hard work and dedication to a position that often gets overlooked.

“The 911 dispatchers are the true first responders,” the Sheriff said.

Kiwanis Life Saver Committee Chairman Sam Catalanotto said the Kiwanis Club started presenting these awards more than a decade ago as a way to recognize first-responders in the parish for the work they do to protect the public. The award is presented quarterly to parish first responders chosen by the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department, he said.

“They are the first people through the door, and usually the last ones out, in an emergency, putting their lives on the line everyday,” Catalanotto said.

Anyone interested in joining the St. Bernard/Arabi Kiwanis Club community service organization is welcome to attend one of its luncheons each Tuesday at noon in the Rocky and Carlo’s Sicilian Room, 613 W. St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. For more information, call Robby Showalter at (504) 616-7312.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests Violet man in fatal shooting of stepfather

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests Violet man in fatal shooting of stepfather

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested a Violet man Sunday, Jan. 19 in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred two days prior in Violet, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Joel Lehmann, 35, of the 5400 block of East St. Bernard Highway in Violet, was booked with first degree murder for the fatal shooting of his stepfather inside the home they shared in Violet.

Shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call for assistance at a home in the 5400 block of East St. Bernard Highway in Violet. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a male victim who had been fatally shot inside the home. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

During the course of the investigation, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau determined Lehmann was responsible for the shooting.

Lehmann was apprehended Sunday morning, Jan. 19, and booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison where he is being held. Bond has not yet been set.

Sheriff Pohlmann said no one else was injured during this isolated incident.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office warns residents of phone scam

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office warns residents of phone scam

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann would like to inform residents of a phone scam that has been brought to his attention.

Victims have reported receiving phone calls stating they must pay money or a warrant will be issued for their arrest due to their failure to appear for jury duty.

The caller, who claims to be a deputy with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, instructs the victim to wire money or purchase gift cards, then provide him with the information to void the warrant and avoid arrest for being in contempt of court.

Sheriff Pohlmann wants residents to know the majority of the time a valid arrest warrant is served in person by law enforcement officials; however, in some circumstances a law enforcement official may call you if you have a warrant, but under no circumstances will that officer ever ask anyone to give them money by any means or form of payment.

If you have received a call from someone claiming to be a deputy with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office asking you for money to avoid arrest, call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office searching for person of interest in fatal shooting

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office searching for person of interest in connection with fatal shooting in Violet

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance from the public in locating a person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of a male victim that occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17 in the 5400 block of East St. Bernard Highway in Violet, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau are seeking assistance in locating Joel Lehmann, 35, in hopes he may be able to provide information valuable to the investigation.

Lehmann is believed to be driving a silver 2007 Ford Ranger with the license plate number X232849.

Anyone with information regarding Lehmann’s identity, his whereabouts or further information regarding this incident is asked to call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters who call Crimestoppers can remain anonymous, do not have to testify and could be eligible for a cash reward.

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Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office recently made the holidays brighter

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office recently made the holidays brighter for several St. Bernard Parish families by presenting them with gifts. C.O.P.S (Caring Officers Provide Smiles) for Christmas was able to help seven families this year.

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On Dec. 19, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, center, received a donation of 2

On Dec. 19, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, center, received a donation of 20 bicycles from Associated Terminals to be given to St. Bernard Parish children to make their Christmas brighter. With Sheriff Pohlmann are: Associated Terminals’ Operations Manager Jason Perez, left, and Associated Terminals’ Operations Manager Forrest Russell, right.

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