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LAPLACE — The St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office presented its annual service memorializing officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Sheriff Mike Tregre and several officers, along with family and friends of law enforcement, gathered May 9, 2023 at the Lloyd B. Johnson Training Center in LaPlace to honor those heroes who were killed while serving and protecting the citizens of St. John Parish.

As part of National Police Week, the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office presents the fallen officers memorial service to pay tribute to officers killed in the line of duty and to honor their memory.

Local officers the SJSO pledges to ‪#‎NeverForget are: Constable Ignace Rousselle, Deputy Harry Troxlair Sr., Det. Sherman Walker, Deputy Barton Granier, Officer Edmond Songy Jr. Captain Octavio Gonzalez, Deputy Brandon Nielsen and Deputy Jeremy Triche.

St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard, the key speaker, said she is grateful to officers, those deceased and serving the community today, for their service. “I am proud to stand in solitude with you and am committed to supporting all of you who wear the badge so proudly and dutifully,” Hotard said, “especially our heroes who we are remembering today.”

“The life of a law enforcement officer and other first responders as well as their families is not an easy one,” President Hotard said. “A heavy burden lies upon them. The families here today know that risk and sacrifice all too well. … The hard truth is that their grieving will never end …. And neither will our love and support and gratitude to them.”

Sheriff Tregre also offered a message of support to the families of fallen officers. “We will gather every year to honor your loved ones who died under tragic circumstances in the line of duty,” Sheriff Tregre said. “They will never be forgotten.”

Sheriff Tregre also encouraged his officers to continue to work hard, despite challenges.

“I remind you to continue to do your best even when the going gets tough,” he said. “There will always be challenges in our job. We have to be at our very best each day. You have the heart of a public servant and never forget that this is why you answer the call each day.”