Det. Maj. Darlene Poche retires from Sheriff’s Office after 27 years

Maj. Darlene Poche holds a plaque of appreciation for 27 years with the Sheriff’s Office and her commission as a retired deputy, given her by Sheriff James Pohlmann.

Maj. Darlene Poche with the plaque of appreciation from the sheriff.

Det. Maj. Darlene Poche, who helped countless young people and families in St. Bernard Parish during her years as head of the Juvenile Division for the Sheriff’s Office, has retired after a total of 27 years with the department. Her last day was June 28.

Poche, who was one of the first women to work in the Patrol Division at the Sheriff’s Office, began in the Reserve Division, worked as a school crossing guard, moved into patrol, also worked in the Parish Prison and spent her last 10 years in the department working with juveniles.

For years she was head of the Juvenile Division, her position when she retired. Sheriff James Pohlmann, who presented her with a plaque of appreciation and her commission as a retired deputy, said she had helped so many young people who either were victims or had gotten themselves into the criminal justice system because of illegal acts they committed.