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Maj. Ronnie Martin in FBI Training Academy picture.

Jul 1, 2011 - Maj. Ronnie Martin of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office said he wasn’t expecting how emotional it would be to meet and take part in activities honoring about 200 children of slain police officers when he attended the FBI National Training Academy in April through mid-June.

Martin is the 17th member of the St. Bernard department to graduate the prestigious academy in Quantico, Va., continuing a long-standing relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the federal law enforcement agency.

He said attending the 10-week training class was a remarkable experience, made even more so by the chance to see on May 14, during Police Week, the visit to the academy of more than 200 children of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

“It hits home. You look at the kids and of course you think about your own kids,’’ said Martin, a native of St. Bernard Parish who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 17 years in the patrol division, as a canine unit officer and working in the Narcotics Unit and Street Crimes Unit.

“For that day you are filling a role for those children,’’ Martin said. “It was more emotional than I knew it would be.’’

Class members of the Training Academy session met and interacted with the survivors, who ranged in ages from five to their early 20s, Martin said. “They had lunch with us and afterwards we had activities and games with them.’’

He said three buses of the children were escorted by some 300 police officers on motorcycles and the policemen were from all over the nation. “Many of the kids had photos of mothers or fathers they lost or had shirts in memory of them.’’

“It was a blast,’’ Martin said. “The kids said afterward it one of their favorite things of the week.’’  The visit is sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., a non-profit group organized in 1984.

St. Bernard Parish Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said Martin’s appointment to the Training Academy class as the 17th deputy from St. Bernard demonstrates the department’s close relationship with the FBI.

Pohlmann also said he is glad Martin got to experience the visit of the children of those who died in the line of deputy, noting that when he graduated the FBI National Training Academy in 1995 he also was able to take part in the visit by survivors of slain officers. “It is a moving experience you never forget,’’ Pohlmann said of seeing the children.

Martin, who is in the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division commanded by Chief of Detectives Col. John Doran, said his FBI Training Academy class had 246 students representing law enforcement agencies from nearly every state and also 22 internatonal students, including ones from China, Egypt and the Ukraine.

“It’s the other law enforcement officers you meet’’ that makes the experience so special, Martin said, adding that from being in the class an officer makes invaluable contacts with others.

Lt. Brent Bourgeois, right, receives the Knights of Columbus St. Bernard Deputy of the Year Award from Larry Gonzales, left, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Rummel Council 5747 in Chalmette. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

May 29, 2011 - Lt. Brent Bourgeois, a 14-year veteran of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, who is a member of the department’s motorcycle division within its Traffic Division, has been named the Knights of Columbus St. Bernard Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year.

This is the first time since Hurricane Katrina that the Catholic men’s fraternal and charity-oriented organization’s Archbishop Rummel Council 5747 in Chalmette has given a Deputy of the Year Award.

Bourgeois, a Chalmette native, has served in several divisions of the Sheriff’s Office since he joined the department in 1997, advancing to the rank of lieutenant.

He has worked in the Communications Division, as a patrol deputy, in the Street Crimes Unit of the Special Investigations Division, in the Traffic Division and is a member of the sheriff’s SWAT team, used in emergency situations.

In the fall of 2008, Lt. Bourgeois became one of two deputies – along with Lt. Mike Ingargiola – who were chosen to re-establish the sheriff’s Motorcycle Division.

He has held been active in DWI enforcement in St. Bernard Parish, which is so vital to ensuring the safety of motorists.

Lt. Bourgeois has previously been a recipient of a Knights of Columbus award as a deputy, prior to Hurricane Katrina.

Bourgeois, whose family also attended the Knights of Columbus Rummel Council awards banquet at its hall on Paris Road, said it was an honor to be chosen by the group. “There are so many good officers at the Sheriff’s Office who keep this parish safe. Each bring their own talents,’’ Bourgeois said.

Rummel Council Grand Knight Larry Gonzales said the organization re-re-established the Deputy of the Year Award, as well as a Firefighter of the Year Award, as a means of showing appreciation for the job done by St. Bernard Parish first responders, who daily put themselves on the line for parish residents.

“This award (received by Bourgeois) used to be given before the hurricane,’’ Gonzales said. “We wanted to start it again because we have one of the safest parishes in this state and that’s because the Sheriff’s Office works so hard to keep it that way.’’

Deputy Chief Richard Baumy, representing the Sheriff’s Office, said, “We appreciate it when a group recognizes the work of the men and women of the department. First-responders including deputies, firefighters and emergency technicians are out there every day to help St. Bernard.’’

The Knights of Columbus are known for charitable projects and youth activities in the New Orleans area, including St. Bernard Parish. They are a corporate sponsor of Children’s Hospital, which serves the needs of children throughout the area, and is a contributor to the St. Bernard Parish Recreation Department.

The annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival, held in Chalmette in the Spring, is a principal fund-raising event for the Knights of Columbus, with proceeds going to charitable causes.

Mar 21, 2011 - On the same day he received the Harry Lee Award from Crimestoppers Inc. honoring his career, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack A. Stephens – second longest-serving sheriff in parish history - officially announced he isn’t seeking re-election to an 8th term this October.

Now in office 27 years with more than a year to go before his 7th term term ends June 30, 2012, Stephens, 62, is currently the longest-serving sheriff in Louisiana.
Only Esteve Nunez, who served as St. Bernard Parish sheriff from 1879 until his death in 1909, has had a longer tenure in office as sheriff than Sheriff Stephens, according to parish historian William Hyland.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack A. Stephens, second from the right, holds the Sheriff Harry Lee Criminal Justice Award he received March 17 from Crimestoppers Inc. of Greater New Orleans, honoring his career. With him, from left, are New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas, Crimestoppers President and CEO Darlene Cusanza and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Stephens took office July 1, 1984, at the age of 35 after beating incumbent Sheriff Ralph McDougal in October 1983 and has since been re-elected six times, most recently in 2007.
The official announcement, in the form of a message to the citizens of St. Bernard Parish, came on Thursday, March 17, the same day Crimestoppers Inc. of Greater New Orleans honored Stephens with its Sheriff Harry Lee Criminal Justice Award at its luncheon in New Orleans to recognize Stephens’ career. Lee served as Jefferson Parish sheriff from 1980 until his death in 2007.

“I had deep affection and respect for him,’’ Sheriff Stephens said of Sheriff Lee as he accepted the award named for him from Crimestoppers President and CEO Darlene Cusanza. He noted at the podium that Lee was the first sheriff in the New Orleans area to call and congratulate him after Stephens’ first election.
“Sheriff Lee was always there for me,’’ Stephens said. He said he considered it “the culmination of my career in law enforcement’’ to receive an award that honors Lee’s memory
Lee, known for his shoot-from-the-hip style, was one of the most famous politicians in Louisiana history.

Cusanza, whose organization is celebrating 30 years of offering rewards for information on crime in the area – leading to numerous arrests – said the Sheriff Harry Lee Award is given “in recognition of someone who has served the community in the criminal justice arena.’’

She said of Sheriff Stephens: “He has been a wonderful friend and ally to Crimestoppers over the years,’’ saying for example, “He supported and assisted in lobbying for a $2 court fee in cases to help the reward process (for Crimestoppers) reach up to $2,500 and has provided someone to work with us to forward information for investigation.’’

Reflecting on his 27 years in office and retirement, Sheriff Stephens told an interviewer afterward receing the award: “Seven terms is a long time. The (St. Bernard Parish) Sheriff’s Office is in good shape now and can function fine without me.’’

	Sheriff Stephens with Cusanza, who introduced him at the awards luncheon.

Sheriff Stephens: “I wish to formally announce I have decided not to seek re-election to the position of Sheriff of St. Bernard Parish.

“I contemplated retiring after my last term, but after consultation with members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office I decided to seek election for one additional term to complete the process of rebuilding the Sheriff’s Office in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“I feel the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office has now survived the challenges posed by the Hurricane and its aftermath, and I am confident the leadership within the Department, who served so proudly and courageously during our darkest hour, will continue their efforts to maintain the integrity of our community and to safeguard its residents.

“It has been a privilege to work with the men and women of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office who are dedicated to serving the citizens of St. Bernard Parish and keeping them safe. I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to the employees of the Sheriff’s Office for their continued hard work and commitment to protecting St. Bernard and keeping it one of the safest communities in our area.

“I offer my gratitude to all members of the Criminal Justice system, including the District Attorney, the 34th Judicial District Court Judges and the office of the Clerk of Court, for their contributions to our crime fighting efforts.

“I wish also to thank the citizens of St. Bernard for their continued support during my tenure as Sheriff for our law enforcement efforts. It has been an honor to serve as Sheriff for the hard working, loyal and resilient citizens of St. Bernard Parish.”

Later, expounding on his message, he said he ran again in 2007 after individuals within the Sheriff’s Office told him following Hurricane Katrina “they would feel uncomfortable with a change of leadership’’ at that time and encouraged him to go seek another term.

“They had stayed and committed themselves to the parish and wanted continuity of leadership,’’ Sheriff Stephens said.”They (the deputies) wanted me to make the same commitment they had.’’

Sheriff Stephens' photo on giant screen as he is announced recipient of Sheriff Harry Lee Criminal Justice Award.

“Things are running smoothly’’ and for the most part crime has been suppressed, he said, as the Sheriff’s Office has restored nearly all of its components that were there prior to the storm. “Anything I have achieved as sheriff has always been because of the work of the men and women of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office.’’

“I have always been proud of our aggressive approach to law enforcement,’’ that has led to St. Bernard being one of the safest, if not the safest, parish in Southeast Louisiana, he said. “Through good times and bad the Sheriff’s Office has kept the community safe.’’

“And we rebuilt our department and worked to give the people of this community the opportunity to rebuild their lives here after the hurricane, knowing they weren’t likely to be a victim of serious crime,’’ Sheriff Stephens said.

He said much of the credit for parish safety “goes to residents who have been so good about trusting us to report suspicious activity they see. They know we will act on what they report.’’

“We haven’t suffered from the violent crime seen in other areas,’’ he said. Streets have remained safe because so much effort by officers of the Sheriff’s Office goes into stopping street corner drug-dealing, he said. “If you are dealing an ounce or a pound we handle it the same way.’’

A guiding principle has been don’t let dealers establish a turf and there won’t be drug turf wars like those that have led to so many killings in other parishes, the sheriff said.

The sheriff also said he is proud of several other developments over the years, including

• There hasn’t been a police officer murdered in the line of duty in his tenure.
• There also hasn’t been a sustained civil rights complaint against the Sheriff’s Office.
• The re-opening of the adult prison and juvenile detention center after the hurricane was extremely important for law enforcement in St. Bernard Parish. When there was no way to hold juvenile offenders and many were released to the custody of parents or guardians directly after the storm there were numerous problems with youngsters involved in burglaries, thefts and drug-dealing. Those problems decreased severely when the juvenile center opened, the sheriff said.

	The sheriff with JoAnn Lane, head of the Civil Division; and Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann at the awards luncheon

• Brought professionalism to a suburban Sheriff’s Office

• Started up a network of sheriff’s sub-stations at all parish lines to help protect St. Bernard’s borders

• Established an Internal Affairs Division

• Started the first holiday ride home program in the New Orleans area to help prevent drinking-and-driving

• Tripled the number of law enforcement personnel in his department

• Created the Neighborhood Watch program to fight crime and Citizens Police Academy to teach residents basic operational procedures of the Sheriff’s Office and court system

• Established dope and traffic hotlines to battle drug-dealers and traffic violators

• Opened a 24-hour shelter for victims of domestic violence and has established a full-time domestic violence detective slot to handle follow-up investigations in domestic violence cases.

• Established the Sheriff’s Office as an active member of Crimestoppers to give incentives for people to report leads in unsolved crimes

• Oversaw the largest seizure ever of illegal drugs in St. Bernard in 1991, more than two tons of cocaine valued at $1 billion.

Cpl. Johnell Young of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division has been given an Award of Valor by the department for heroic actions early Dec. 12 when he and two parish residents, Eric Alfonso, 18, of Violet, a senior at Chalmette High, and Ray Henritzy Jr., 22, of eastern St. Bernard, combined to rescue Deputy Jeffery Westerfield by pulling him from a damaged sheriff’s vehicle in a wreck before the car was fully involved by fire, which likely saved the deputy’s life. The engine area caught fire immediately after the crash and the blaze spread until the vehicle was engulfed. Deputy Westerfield is recuperating from injuries suffered when he struck a tree while answering a burglary alarm at a bank. The other two men will also receive the same award from the Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said. Young is shown holding the award and a letter of commendation. With him are, from left, Pohlmann, Maj. Ronnie Martin, assistant commander of SID and a superior of Young, and Deputy Chief Richard Baumy. STEVE CANNIZARO PHOTO.

Capt. Walter Dornan, head of the Traffic Division of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office

Sep 20, 2010 - Capt. Walter Dornan, head of the Traffic Division for the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, is now the 16th member of the department to graduate the prestigious FBI National Training Academy in Quantico, Va., continuing a long-standing relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the federal law enforcement agency.

“It was a distinct honor to attend the FBI National Academy,’’ said Dornan, who started with the Sheriff’s Office in 1988 as a reserve deputy in the Traffic Division and has been full-time since 1994.

“The experience gives you new challenges and allows you to meet officers from all over the nation and other countries and form friendships that will last a life-time.”

“It’s both an academically and physically challenging executive development program that less than half of one percent of all law enforcement officers get to attend, which humbles you to think about,’’ Dornan said.

St. Bernard Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the Sheriff’s Office maintains a good relationship with the FBI, reflected in the fact that a department the size of the Sheriff’s Office has had 16 of its officers accepted for the national academy and had all graduate successfully.

Pohlmann said, “Our residents can take pride in the level of training our officers get from the FBI” and in the good standing in which the department is regarded by the federal agency.

Pohlmann is among the 16 sheriff’s officials who have graduated the FBI National training Academy.

St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Office also has had good participation in FBI re-training sessions held each year and graduates of the National Training Academy participate in alumni functions, Pohlmann said.

He also said sheriff’s detectives from St. Bernard have for years been assigned to FBI anti-violence and anti-terrorism task forces.

Also, Deputy Chief Harold Hughes, head of Internal Affairs for the Sheriff’s Office, is a retired long-time FBI Special Agent.

The program at the FBI National Training Academy is a 10-week course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders, available only through invitation and a nomination process, and geared to enhance personal and professional development.

State and local police, sheriffs' offices, military police and federal law enforcement agents attend the academy, whose classes are drawn from every state and some 150 nations. The first academy class was held in July 1935, with 23 students.

Dornan said the course consists of classes in criminal justice, law, forensics, computer science and anti-terrorism and the program heavily emphasizes running and physical conditioning, Classes are accredited from the University of Virginia.

“You’re in class with people from all over the country and other nations,’’ Dornan said. There were also several people from Louisiana law enforcement agencies, including Kenner and Gretna, he said.
Dornan said he found, “We (St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Office) are more advanced than some other departments of a bigger size. It gave me a better appreciation’’ for the job done in St Bernard.

“Everybody from here has always done well and succeeded,’’ at the National Academy,’’ Dornan said. “That goes a long way with them. Some departments had people going for the first time.’’

One highlight of his stay, Dornan said, was when, “People from here put on a Louisiana Night for the Academy, with shrimp and jambalaya. They had shrimp shipped in.”

“It all made me realize how much I missed the place I call home.’’

Honorees are shown with their Life Saver Award certificates.

Aug 12, 2010 - Law enforcement officers can go their entire career without being involved in directly saving a life.

But two young Sheriff’s Office corrections officers – along with a St. Bernard parish government employee – by chance came together at the same place on June 8 when a smoky fire threatened the life of an elderly Chalmette woman.

As Sheriff’s Deputy David Culpepper called in the 8 a.m. fire at 2100 Rosetta Drive, Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Smith and Louis Pomes, assistant director of Public Works for St. Bernard government, ran into the home and carried out a 79-year-old woman who was literally paralyzed by fear. The parish Fire Department then arrived and extinguished the blaze without damage to surrounding houses.

For their actions, the three were honored with the Life Saver Award by the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard/Arabi on Tuesday, Aug. 10.

The reward is “in recognition of courageous service to our community,’’ said Chalmette businessman and club President Sam Catalanotto.

“The Kiwanis Club didn’t envision this award as being for life-saving heroics, but as an award in recognition of the everyday heroic efforts of our deputies and firefighters in St. Bernard Parish,’’ Catalanotto said at a luncheon honoring the officers. “They are the first ones in the door, or the first ones on the scene, always willing to put their lives on the line so the community of St. Bernard continues to be safe.’’

In this instance, by including Pomes for the award, it was the first time the club had given an award to anyone outside of a member of the Sheriff’s Office or Fire Department, Catalanotto said. “We were asked by the Sheriff’s Office to consider it and we did.’’

Smith, Culpepper and Pomes, along with Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann - second in charge to Sheriff Jack A. Stephens - and the officers’ supervisor, Parish Prison Warden Col. David Mowers, all attended the awards ceremony.

Pohlmann said, “A law enforcement officer may go their entire career and never be in a situation in which they actually save someone’s life. And you never know how you will react when you are in that situation.”

Pohlmann, saying the men acted quickly and unselfishly, added, “We are proud of you guys. You did a great job.’’

The three recipients said they were grateful for the honor.

Culpepper and Smith, who both have worked about two years in the Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office, were driving in Chalmette when they noticed smoke and hurried to the scene, finding the house engulfed in flames.

“You could see the flames from the corner,’’ said Culpepper, who was the first to notice the fire. Pomes was with a work crew on a nearby street and also went to see about the blaze.

Several people living in the home had evacuated when the deputies and Pomes arrived.

Smith and Pomes were told a woman was still inside and they went in to find her.

“When we pulled up you could see flames in the front window,’’ Smith said afterward. “I didn’t know how much time we had’’ until the house would have been too smoky to enter.

Pomes said despite the thick smoke he and Smith found the woman in a back room, where she was in distress. “She couldn’t move. He (Smith) and I picked her up’’ including a portable chair she uses, and carried her outside. “The deputy was very brave.’’

Catalanotto said any business interested in joining with the Kiwanis in this worthwhile project or anyone interested in learning more about joining the Kiwanis service organization can call him at (504) 296-9501 or Robbie Showalter at (504) 279-8544.

Mar 21, 2010 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Det. Lt. Raymond Theriot said it was one of the great experiences of his life to recently take part be in the 11-week course of study at the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., among 260 police officers.

“It’s amazing to see police from all over the world, all of us with similar concerns,’’ said Theriot, who has a degree in criminal justice from Loyola University and has been with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office since 1984.

“Everyone wants to protect their communities and be able to raise their families in a safe environment.’’

Theriot, St. Bernard Deputy of the Year in 1997, said he loved the environment of the FBI Academy, which he said was conducive to officers bettering themselves personally and professionally. “It’s very educational and includes leadership classes, crime scene investigation and stresses physical fitness. I learned a lot in the area of death investigations and crime scene work in general.’’
Theriot was the 15th member of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office to be appointed to the FBI National Academy under Sheriff Jack Stephens’ 25-year tenure, an unusual accomplishment for a 300-member department. “It shows we’re running on all cylinders,’’ Theriot said.

The FBI program is for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders, available only through invitation and a nomination process. State and local police, sheriffs' offices, military police and federal law enforcement agents attend the academy, whose classes are drawn from every state and some 150 nations. The first academy class was held in July 1935.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to be nominated’’ and should help him further in St. Bernard after being exposed to officers from so many regions and taking part in discussions about similar concerns and unique differences, he said.

“From being members of a class together it gives you contacts by introducing you to a network of people you can call upon for help in the future people who are at other departments and in other cities,’’ Theriot said. “You don’t know when something you’re working on with a crime suspect will lead you to another state. It gives you people you now know you can call and they can point you in the right direction about something or other.’’

He said he also met people he didn’t know who happen to work in other departments in the New Orleans area, including Jefferson Parish, Kenner, St. Charles Parish and Lake Charles.

Theriot has worked with the sheriff’s former emergency medical service and later as a patrol deputy and now as a sheriff’s detective, which he has been for 15 years. Since 2001 he also has served as firearms instructor at the Sheriff’s Office.

He also has been to Pakistan twice under a U.S. State Department program where he instructed local police officers.

A Pakistani police officer attending the academy brought up an unusual problem his department there has dealt with, Theriot said.

He said the officer asked about procedures to follow when a mine field planted by terrorists is uncovered.

“They deal with suicide bombers there. Fortunately we don’t have that but we do have several (industrial) plants here that could be targets for terrorists,’’ Theriot said.

Jan 29, 2010 - It was perhaps the biggest story in the New Orleans area for several days in December, sparking indignation by the public who wondered: How can someone be so low as to break into a St. Bernard Parish church, then unwrap and steal 65 Christmas presents collected for the needy of the area?

But a group of sheriff’s detectives investigated and solved the case within days, making an arrest early on Dec. 23 and recovering and returning the gifts to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, which also had received numerous other donations from a public that wanted to make it a bright Christmas for the needy.

For their efforts, the detectives, supervisor Capt. Mark Jackson, Lt. Richard “Rick’’ Mendel and Sgt. Donald “DJ” Johnson received awards from the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard/Arabi on Tuesday, Jan. 26, which gave them its Life Saver Award.

The honor is “in recognition of courageous service to our community,’’ said Chalmette businessman and club President Sam Catalanotto.
“The Kiwanis Club didn’t envision this award as being for life-saving heroics, but as an award in recognition of the everyday heroic efforts of our deputies and firefighters in St. Bernard Parish,’’ Catalanotto said at a luncheon honoring the officers. “They are the first ones in the door, or the first ones on the scene, always willing to put their lives on the line so the community of St. Bernard continues to be safe.’’

The Life Saver award was suggested by Catalanotto in the late 1990s as a means to honor sheriff’s deputies and parish firefighters. “It’s meant to say ‘thank you,’’ he said. Catalanotto said any business interested in joining with the Kiwanis in this worthwhile project or anyone interested in learning more about joining the Kiwanis service organization can call him at (504) 296-9501 or Robbie Showalter at (504) 279-8544.

The detective group solved the Dec. 20 church burglary at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Violet. Because of the publicity the crime received in the media, the people of the New Orleans area responded by opening their hearts and wallets to the church, donating a bonanza of presents that made it a much better Christmas for the needy than anyone could have imagined, Catalanotto said.

Jackson, Mendel and Johnson said they appreciated being recognized by the Kiwanis Club and accepted the award on behalf of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office. Their chief of detectives, Col. John Doran, also attended the luncheon.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the department is grateful to the club for thinking about the work of first-responders. “They don’t always get the recognition they deserve, so this is appreciated,’’ Pohlmann said. Also, he said the church burglary was a high-profile crime that demanded detectives stick with it until resolved. “They worked it and worked it’’ and got results, turning a bad thing into a happy ending for the church and the needy people that were helped, Pohlmann said.

 Det. Capt. Mark Jackson, a 19-year employee of the Sheriff’s Office, is a veteran supervisor in the sheriff’s Detective Bureau. He was named officer of the year in 1995 and 2002, spent a year in Iraq training upwards of 500 Iraqi police officers through a program of the U.S. State Department and in 2009 was graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Va.
Jackson became a detective after working in the sheriff’s patrol division.
Det. Lt. Richard “Rick’’ Mendel is a 23-year veteran of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, having worked in numerous departments. He has served as a corrections officer, moving up to Assistant Warden of the St. Bernard Parish Prison.
Mendel also has been an instructor in the sheriff’s D.A.R.E. anti-drug and violence program in St. Bernard schools, as a detective in the sheriff’s Juvenile Division and now is in the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
Det. Sgt. Donald “DJ’’ Johnson has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2001 and also has worked in several departments. Johnson started as a corrections officer, advanced to become a patrol officer and has been assigned as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Bureau since 2007.
Jackson, Mendel and Johnson are also members of the sheriff’s SWAT team.
 

Sgt. Richard Barr of the Sheriff’s Office holds the Lifesaver Award he received from Sam Catalanotto of the Kiwanis Club.

Aug 9, 2009 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Dep. Sgt. Richard Barr, sent to a Chalmette residence the night of April 23 on a call of a missing 20-month-old boy, said he was trying to methodically exclude places the child might be when he jumped into a murky swimming pool in the backyard of the family’s home, near 11 p.m. “The water was cloudy,’’ said Barr, who has been associated with the Sheriff’s Office since 1979 when he was first employed there. “I couldn’t see the second step of the pool.’’ He went in to eliminate all places the child might be in the immediate area and then expand the search from there, he said. The pool was in the 3600 block of Palmisano Boulevard.

To his horror, almost immediately after going into the pool Barr felt something and realized it was the child, whom he carried out of the pool, giving him to Fire Department personnel and paramedics who were there. “They did everything possible,’’ Barr said. “We didn’t save his life. I wish we could have.’’ The veteran officer said he was emotionally affected by the experience.

The boy, Jamil Attalah, was unresponsive when found and was pronounced dead about midnight at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. He apparently slipped out of a bedroom after being placed in a bed to sleep and left the home unnoticed by other adults and children who were there. Family members called authorities when he was noticed missing.

Barr described the incident on Tuesday, Aug. 4, when he was honored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi, who gave him its Lifesaver Award. The honor is “in recognition of his courageous service to our community,’’ said Chalmette businessman Sam Catalanotto, chairman of the Lifesaver Award committee. The Kiwanis Club President is Judge Robert Buckley. Barr was recognized in ceremonies at a luncheon at Rocky & Carlo’s Restaurant in Chalmette. Sgt. Barr, after starting with the Sheriff’s Office in 1979, left the department in 1984 to start a business but later returned in 2000 and has been there as a deputy since. The deputy said he felt honored to receive the Kiwanis Club award, but said work done by the Sheriff’s Office and parish Fire Department is a “collective effort’’ to help St. Bernard.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the department is grateful to the club. “First-responders don’t always get the recognition they deserve, so this is appreciated,’’ Pohlmann said. Maj. Mark Poche, Chief of Field Operations for the Sheriff’s Office, also attended.  The award was suggested by Catalanotto in the 1990s as a means to honor sheriff’s deputies and parish firefighters. “It’s an award of recognition for the jobs sheriff’s deputies and firefighters do,’’ said Catalanotto. “It’s meant to say ‘thank you’ for being the first ones to put their lives on the line for us.’’
 

Apr 23, 2009 - Gov. Bobby Jindal has appointed St. Bernard Parish Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann to the state Crime Victims Reparations Board, which awards payments to valid applicants from a reparations fund. The board assists victims of violent crimes with unrecovered costs associated with a personal injury, death or catastrophic property loss. Money in the fund comes from assessments made to criminals.

Pohlmann, who lives in Meraux and is second in command under St. Bernard Sheriff Jack Stephens, will serve as an at-large member representing the 3rd Congressional District. “I am pleased to be appointed to this board and be in a position to try to help victims of violent crime in their time of need,’’ said Pohlmann. “I encourage St. Bernard Parish residents who have been victims of violent crime and as a result have legitimate expenses that meet the criteria to apply for consideration of reparations.’’

Sheriff Stephens said, “It’s an honor for St. Bernard Parish and the Sheriff’s Office to have a representative on the Crime Victims Reparations Board’’ and said Pohlmann is a good selection. “Jimmy has the experience in dealing with crime victims because of his background in law enforcement that makes him the right choice.’’

Applications for reparations consideration are available from all Louisiana sheriffs' offices, Pohlmann said. The victim reparations coordinator for St. Bernard is Lt. Jennifer Turnage, at (504) 278-7656, and can provide assistance to victims of violent crime who ask for help in filling out application forms. Victims may also get an application directly from the Crime Victim's Reparations Office by calling 1-888-6-VICTIM (nationwide).

The Crime Victims Reparations Board has 11 members, including the executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice. The remaining 10 members are gubernatorial appointees. One member is selected from nominations submitted by the group Victims and Citizens Against Crime, Inc. and nine members serve at-large. Each congressional district must be represented and one at-large. One member must be at least 60 years old to represent senior citizens of the state. Other New Orleans area members of the board include: Sharon Rodi of Metairie, representing the 1st Congressional District; and Kenneth Jones of Harvey, who represents the 2nd Congressional District.

Here are basic facts about the Crime Victims Reparations Fund:

Residency
The crime must occur in Louisiana or involve a Louisiana resident who becomes a victim in another state that doesn’t have a crime victim compensation program for which they would be eligible.

Reporting the Crime
The crime must be reported to a law enforcement agency within 72 hours after the incident unless there is a valid reason it couldn’t be reported within this time period.

Filing for Compensation
The application must be filed within a year of the crime unless there is a valid reason it couldn’t be submitted within this time period.

Cooperation
The victim and/or claimant must cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in the investigation and prosecution of the case.

Who May Qualify
An innocent victim of a violent crime who suffers physical and/or emotional harm, death or catastrophic property loss; a person who legally assumes the obligations or voluntarily pays certain expenses related to the crime on behalf of the victim; immediate family members needing counseling as a result of the consequence of death of the victim.

Who is Not Eligible
A victim whose own behavior contributed to the crime; a victim or claimant who was engaged in illegal activity at the time of crime; an offender or an accomplice of the offender; anyone incarcerated in a penal institution when the crime occurred or who had a felony conviction in the last five years; victims of non crime-related traffic accidents.

What Crimes Are Covered
Covered are crimes involving the use of force or the threat of the use of force and result in personal injury, death or catastrophic property loss. The only motor vehicle-related crimes that are eligible are: DWI, Hit and Run, victim of a driver who is fleeing apprehension by law enforcement, or a victim whose injuries were intentionally inflicted with a vehicle.

What Expenses are Eligible
Reimbursement for property damage or loss is not an eligible expense. Approved claims may be awarded compensation for the following only if they are related to the crime: Reasonable medical and prescription expenses, dental expenses, mental health counseling, funeral expenses, loss of earnings or support, child care to enable a victim, spouse, surviving spouse of a deceased victim or guardian to continue employment, reasonable replacement costs for item or items taken as evidence or made unusable as a result of the criminal investigation.

What expenses aren’t eligible
Expenses which may not be reimbursed for any reason include: property losses except for a catastrophic property loss which is limited to the loss of your current residence provided it is owned and occupied by the victim/claimant, pain and suffering, attorney fees except when they are part of an order from a hearing or award by a court of law.

Limits on Awards
Total recovery may not exceed $ 10,000 unless the victim suffered total and permanent disability. Victims who suffer total permanent disability as a result of their victimization may qualify for up to $25,000.

Recoveries from Other Sources
The Crime Victims Reparations Fund is regarded as the "payer of last resort." It is a secondary source that pays for certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the crime that the victim has no other way to pay. Other sources that have to pay first include:

• HMO/health insurance
• Disability insurance/life insurance 
• Vacation time, sick leave or other types of leave paid by an employer 
• Worker's compensation benefits 
• Social security 
• Medicare or Medicaid

Mar 26, 2009 - St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Det. Capt. Mark Jackson, a veteran supervisor in the Detective Bureau who also spent a year in Iraq training police officers, has been named to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Va., starting in April.

The program is an 11-week course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders, available only through invitation and a nomination process, and geared to enhance personal and professional development. State and local police, sheriffs' offices, military police and federal law enforcement agents attend the academy, whose classes are drawn from every state and some 150 nations. The first academy class was held in July 1935, with 23 students.

“I feel honored and I’m looking forward to it because it’s a great opportunity to enhance my training at a prestigious academy and meet numerous officers from many other departments,’’ said Jackson, a native of St. Bernard Parish and an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. “This will help me in my job here.’’

Jackson has handled numerous investigations of murders and other serious offenses in his career, becoming a detective after working in the sheriff’s patrol division. He is a supervisor in the Detective Bureau and is also a member of the sheriff’s SWAT team.

Jackson is the 14th member of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office to be appointed to the FBI National Academy under Sheriff Jack Stephens’ 24-year tenure.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann, who has also attended the FBI National Academy, described Jackson as “a worthy candidate for the Academy.’’

“Mark is one of our top investigators and has a history of being involved in solving murders, burglaries and other crimes,’’ Pohlmann said. “His appointment is a credit to our department.’’

One of the most unusual aspects of Jackson’s law enforcement career was the one-year term he spent in Iraq from 2004-05, returning just before the hurricane, in which he trained upward of 500 Iraqi police officers through a program of the U.S. State Department.

“I worked with officers from throughout the United States,’’ and was part of a team of police involved in security for the first national election held in Iraq, Jackson said. “I learned things from other officers that helped my police work here.’’

Looking back, “I think it was well worth it’’ to his career to have taken part in the training mission there, Jackson said.’’

On a sad note, several of the Iraqi police officers he helped train were murdered in the ongoing war. “They were brave guys,’’ Jackson said, people who were willing to work in situations in which police stations were being attacked and officers frequently had to wear civilian clothes to and from work, dressing in uniforms after they got to work, because of the chance of being targeted along the way.

Jackson said a police station he was assigned to came under direct attack at one point. “We had a gun battle before we could secure the area.’’

But he said there has been “tremendous progress in security’’ since his time in Iraq.

	S.O. Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann is named Cimestoppers’ Law Enforcement Officer of Year.

Mar 22, 2009 - St. Bernard Parish Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann, second in command to Sheriff Jack Stephens, has been named by the Crimestoppers organization as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for St. Bernard. The award was given by Darlene Cusanza, executive director of the non-profit Crimestoppers group, at its 24th annual awards luncheon on Wednesday, March 18, attended by 600 people at the Riverside Hilton in New Orleans.

The group is known for posting rewards in criminal cases throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area as an incentive for those with information to anonymously report tips, which are passed along to the appropriate law enforcement agency in parishes, cities and at the federal level. Crimestoppers rotates its Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards among the agencies it deals with.

“I’m honored to be recognized by an organization such as Crimestoppers, which has done so much for law enforcement in our area over the years by providing rewards for information which has resulted in the solving of numerous crimes, including some in St. Bernard Parish,’’ Pohlmann said.  “The award I received is a reflection of the job the men and women of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office do on a daily basis,’’ Pohlmann said.

Pohlmann, Chief Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Stephens for more than a year, has over 25 years experience in law enforcement in the parish and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.  

Cusanza said Pohlmann was chosen for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by a committee of the Crimestoppers board. “We look for individuals who have worked with Crimestoppers and who have made significant accomplishments in law enforcement in their own departments,’’ Cusanza said. "Chief Pohlmann," she said, “has a long history of working with Crimestoppers, serving as the group’s direct liaison with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office’’, where tips received about crimes are passed on to him. “Chief Pohlmann has been recognized for his outstanding leadership during one of our most tragic times, especially in St. Bernard after the hurricane,’’ Cusanza said. “It is due to his outstanding investigative skills that Crimestoppers has been successful in closing many cases for St. Bernard, including St. Bernard’s first murder after the hurricane.’’

Sheriff Stephens said Chief Deputy Sheriff Pohlmann is an excellent choice for the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. “Jimmy has worked for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office for more than 25 years and was here even before I became sheriff,’’ Stephens said. “He has moved up the ranks over the years by doing a good job as an officer.  “Chief Pohlmann knows St. Bernard police work inside and out and is personable with people he comes in contact with. He is certainly an integral part of what we do here and enhances our reputation as a solid law enforcement agency,’’ Sheriff Stephens said.

Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division gets 1st Kiwanis Club Life-Saving Award since hurricane for dismantling narcotics group in “Operation Driftwood,” with 30 arrests in 3-year case

Jan 18, 2009 - After the hurricane, when the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division was conducting what would be called Operation Driftwood and arrest some 30 members of a group distributing multiple pounds of various drugs, it was clear the dealers thought they could take advantage of the storm’s destruction, sheriff’s officials said.
 
“These animals thought we were down and out and that we didn’t have the resources to stop them and so they decided to set up shop,’’ said Col. Chad Clark, head of SID, which includes the Narcotics Division and Street Crimes Division. “And what really motivated us was when there were drug overdose deaths in St. Bernard Parish and one of their group said ‘People are like sheep. They can be replaced.’’

Now, with the leaders of the group, Maxwell Landry and Jason Broom, serving prison sentences and more than 30 others indicted, the Sheriff’s Office is being recognized for its work.

The Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi, restarting its Life-Saving Award for the first timer since the hurricane, has given the first one to the men and women of the sheriff’s SID for dismantling the narcotics group in “Operation Driftwood” and saving untold lives of those who might have died from the drugs that were taken off th streets.

The group was recognized in ceremonies held Tuesday, Jan. 13 with a luncheon at Rocky & Carlo’s Restaurant in Chalmette.

Sheriff Jack Stephens and Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the department is honored to receive the recognition from the Kiwanis Club, whose President is state Judge Robert Buckley, with businessman Sam Catalanotto as chairman of the Life-Saving Award committee.

The award was suggested by Catalanotto several years before the storm as a means to honor sheriff’s deputies and parish firefighters for their work, he said. He said the award wasn’t given since the storm but all concerned felt it was the right time to restart the program.

“We wanted to see positive recognition of the good things the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department do,’’ Catalanotto said. “We realize they do heroic deeds each day. We wanted to say ‘Thank you.’’’

Referring to the major drug investigation by SID, Catalanotto said, “We are positive an unknown number of lives were saved by these officers.’’

Clark praised the men and women of SID at the luncheon, saying in the three years of the investigation “At no time has anyone backed up when called upon, whether day or night, weekend or holiday. There were several occasions where agents slept in this units rather than leaving their duty and this work integrity is still being displayed.’’

Retired Col. Forrest Bethay, who headed SID for years thanked both the office of St. Bernard District Attorney Jack Rowley and the U.S. Attorney’s office for the effort they put into the case, resulting in many lengthy prison years for the defendants. “The magnitude of this investigation was unbelievable,’’ Bethay said, referring, for example, to the work involved in securing wiretaps of suspects’ phones.

A plaque was given to SID and certificates of recognition and a gift dinner was given to these officers:

Col. Chad Clark, Col. Forrest Bethay, Col. Pete Tufaro, Maj. Ronnie Martin, Capt. Clifford “Chip’’ Englande, Capt. Richard Jackson, Capt. Pat Childress, Lt. Bob Roger, Lt. Chris Cousins, Sgt. Joey Alfonso, Sgt. David Hebert, Cpl. Jessica Tarver, Sgt Mike Hermman, Cpl. Leander Morgan, Cpl. Johnell Young, Cpl. Brandon Licciardi.

Operation Driftwood focused on the large drug-trafficking network headed by Maxwell Landry and Jason Broom, responsible for distributing kilos, or 2.2 pounds at a time of marijuana, cocaine and crystal meth.

The investigation began in 2005 by the Special Investigations division of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office and later in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and is still ongoing.

Multiple pounds of drugs were seized, along with $400,000 in cash, several vehicles and real estate.

Because the organization crossed state lines and was being operated in multi-jurisdictions it fell under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force guidelines and was funded by the Department of Justice and organized by the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Orleans.

Landry is now serving a federal 3-year sentence and still awaits state charges, while Broom just pleaded guilty in state court in St. Bernard in December and was given 25 years in prison. So far, sentences totaling more than 100 years in prison have been meted out.

Operation Driftwood operated in a highly sophisticated manner, using compartmentalized, family-oriented distribution cells which included cell heads, lieutenants, distributors and facilitators with ties to two organizations out of New York and California, both of which are still being investigated today. Cell heads received direction from Landry and Broom but the cells remained insular.

The drug task force investigation utilized three wiretap affidavits involving different cell phones in combination with search warrants, traffic stops, cooperating witnesses and man other investigative techniques to systematically disrupt and eventually dismantle the Landry and Broom organization.