St. Bernard Sheriff inducted into Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, right, was one of a select group of people inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame on July 6. Presenting Sheriff Pohlmann with the award is James LeBlanc, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections secretary.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann was one of a select group of people inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame on July 6 in Baton Rouge. A special exhibit depicting Sheriff Pohlmann’s professional and personal accomplishments throughout his life, along with exhibits for the other inductees, were unveiled during the event and will remain on display in the Louisiana Hall of Fame Museum, located at the gates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, throughout 2018.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann was one of a select group of people inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame on July 6.

Founded in 2004, the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Foundation, a non-profit organization that administers the second largest museum complex of its kind in the nation devoted to the study and preservation of judicial and correctional activities.

Each year, the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame honors about a half-dozen great leaders in areas of law enforcement, the judiciary system and the armed forces, as well as those involved in civil rights initiatives.

According to Michael D. Wynne, chairman and director of the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame, the Induction Award is considered by many to be the top award that can be bestowed upon an individual in these arenas.

“The nominees come from federal, state, parish and municipal governmental organizations, as well as private citizens. They are people from all walks of life who have helped better the great state of Louisiana,” Wynne said. “We have honored some remarkable people over the years, and now we are delighted that Sheriff Pohlmann is among them.”

The induction ceremony took place at the Louisiana Hall of Fame Museum, located at the gates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. A special gala honoring Sheriff Pohlmann and the other inductees was held at the Lod Cook Conference Center on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

A special exhibit depicting Sheriff Pohlmann’s professional and personal accomplishments throughout his life, along with exhibits for the other inductees, were unveiled during the induction and will remain on display in the Louisiana Hall of Fame Museum at Angola throughout 2018.

Sheriff Pohlmann is delighted to receive such a prestigious honor.

“I’m deeply pleased and humbled to be given such an amazing acknowledgment,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “I’m honored to be among the other inductees, both past and present, who are so admired and respected.”

In addition to Sheriff Pohlmann, other 2018 inductees included: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edward; Rev. Charles E. Guillory, pastor and teacher from Avoyelles Parish; C.M. “Marty” Lensing, warden and professor from East Baton Rouge Parish; Helena Moreno, New Orleans City Councilwoman; Mike Stone, Sheriff of Lincoln Parish; and Maj. Gen. Joanne F. Sheridan, Louisiana National Guard from Vernon Parish.

Wynne said Sheriff Pohlmann and the other inductees were selected from more than 100 nominations. The Sheriff’s accomplishments impressed the nomination committee, he said.

“We not only looked at the Sheriff’s personal and professional accomplishments, but we also took into consideration the great department and the officers and staff members he has assembled,” Wynne said. “The people of St. Bernard Parish should be very proud and feel blessed to have such a great sheriff.”