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LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish Deputy Keith Duronslet knows now more than ever to never take anything for granted.

After 21 years in the military, including seven combat tours in the U.S. Army and Navy, Duronslet joined the St. John Sheriff’s Office in 2016. On Jan. 19, 2020, a devastating fire left him and his wife, Kimberly, embracing one another outside of their burning home with nothing left besides their two dogs and the clothes on their backs.

The community support since that day has been incredible beyond what words can express, according to Duronslet, and it hasn’t slowed down yet.

Last week, St. James Parish officers Steven Brignac, Dustin Tomlinson and Rickey Macklin stopped by the Percy Hebert building in LaPlace to present a special gift to their fellow brother in blue. It was a check for $505 to help Duronslet and his wife get back on their feet.

According to the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office, the funds were raised through a “No Shave Month” to benefit a worthy cause. Upon hearing Duronslet’s story, the St. James officers dedicated the February fundraiser to his family.

“It meant a lot to me because you never know what you have until it’s gone,” Duronslet said. “You really don’t pay attention to a lot of things until they are missing. This happened Jan. 19. We’re in March, and to know people are still donating just shows how blessed my family is and that people still care.”

Duronslet was raised on the West Bank of St. John, in the small town of Lucy. He left at age 17 to join the military shortly after the passing of his mother, and, for a long time, he never looked back. He met his wife in the military and moved out to California. After 27 years away, Duronslet returned to St. John in 2016 with a goal to give back to his community.

On July 1, 2016, he joined the SJSO as a corrections officer. From there, he moved to patrol, and then to crime scene investigations. Duronslet also runs a program called the Distinguished Gentleman’s Club to mentor young men and show them another side to police officers.

Sheriff Mike Tregre said Duronslet’s “professional demeanor, work ethic, positive attitude and passion for helping the youth” earned him the SJSO Officer of the Month award in November 2019.

Crime scene investigations coworker Ronald Brown and his wife, Grace, opened their home to Keith and Kim Duronslet and their dogs after the fire. Officer Steven Faucheux and his wife, Leslie, coordinated a Super Bowl pool to raise money for the family.

“It was just so awesome how people came together and started helping,” Duronslet said. “It’s overwhelming still. My wife and I always say that if this had happened when we lived in California, we would be in a shelter because the people out there don’t measure up to the people here. We’re so thankful and grateful. It’s more than we can express.”

On Jan. 19, 2020, Duronslet planned to honor the life of his father-in-law who passed away in September 2019. It would have been his birthday, and Keith and Kimberly Duronslet were planning a small balloon release in his honor.

It was a cold and windy day. As Kim left to get breakfast, she suggested her husband turn on the fireplace. When Duronslet went to clean it out, some debris fell down, so he lit a chimney-cleaning log to remove the residue.

It happened fast.

Within a minute, white smoke was billowing through the air vent. Then it turned black. Duronslet was able to get the dogs outside before the flames appeared. At that point, four neighbors had already called 911.

“Although we lost it, it’s material. We’re going to get it back, and we’re happy to be alive,” Duronslet said. “I did 21 years in the military, seven combat tours. I’ve had to tell families that their loved ones have passed away, the whole nine. If you’re in a relationship or living with your parents, just show your thanks. Be grateful, be blessed and just love on each other.”