Louisiana State Police held its annual awards ceremony on May 16, 2024, to honor Troopers, public safety personnel, and civilians from across the state for performing above and beyond the call of duty in 2023. Along with those individuals receiving awards, commissioned personnel who have been promoted since January 2024 received special acknowledgment for their achievement. The ceremony was held at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy Auditorium on Independence Boulevard in Baton Rouge.
The law enforcement award ceremony is a prestigious event held to honor the bravery, dedication, and exemplary service of these women and men. Being recognized at such a ceremony reflects hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to upholding the law, protecting communities, and ensuring public safety. The recipients of these awards are often chosen based on their exceptional acts of courage, quick thinking in high-pressure situations, successful operations that result in the apprehension of dangerous criminals, or significant contributions to crime prevention and community outreach programs. Overall, the law enforcement award ceremony is an opportunity to commend deserving individuals and showcase their professionalism and integrity.
For Trooper of the Year, Investigator of the Year, Communications Officer of the Year, and DPS Officer of the Year, all nominees are listed. An asterisk (*) indicates the award winner. Awards presented to these extraordinary individuals are as follows:
Blue Max Award – The Blue Max Award is given to the Trooper who has recovered the most stolen vehicles with arrests in a 12-month period.
- TPR David Webster
Meritorious Service Award – The Meritorious Service Award is given for any act or performance of duty which exceeds the normal expectations of duty and demonstrates an exceptional degree of good judgment, initiative, and competence.
- SGT Matt Jones, Jr.
- Investigator Melissa Welch
Lifesaving Award – The Lifesaving Award is an award that is given to individuals who perform acts which result in the saving or sustaining of a human life.
- SGT Prentiss “Trey” Bellue
- SGT Brittany Pias
- TPR Justin Wardell
- TPR Mark Charpentier
- TPR Todd Henry
- TPR Daniel Berrincha
- TPR Tyler Evans
Service Injury Award – The Service Injury Award is given for any act or performance of duty which exceeds the normal expectations of duty and demonstrates an exceptional degree of good judgment, initiative, and competence.
- DPS Officer Austin Fontenot
Lifesaving Award for Civilians – The Lifesaving Award for Civilians is an award that is given to citizens who perform acts which result in the saving or sustaining of a human life.
- Jared Heller
Richard Honeycutt Award – Awarded for outstanding service and dedication to duty by a Communications Officer.
- Region 1 Communications Officer Supervisor Aime Young
- Region 2 Communications Officer Supervisor Brooke Patin *
- Region 3 Communications Officer Kathy Golemon
- Communications Officers Aime Young and Kathy Golemon were awarded the Meritorious Service Award for their nominations.
DPS Officer of the Year – The DPS Officer of the Year is for the individual who has demonstrated unusual skill and ability in performing his/her duties.
- DPS Investigator Patrick Deshautelle *
- DPS Investigator Darren Foil
- DPS Officer Matthew Mayeux
- Investigator Darren Foil and Officer Matthew Mayeux were awarded the Meritorious Service Award for their nominations.
Investigator of the Year Award – The Investigator of the Year Award is for the Trooper/Investigator who has demonstrated unusual skill and ability in performing his/her duties.
- TFC William Seymour
- TFC Jack Uhle *
- TFC Brandon Ostarly
- TFC William Seymour and TFC Brandon Ostarly were awarded the Meritorious Service Award for their nominations.
Trooper of the Year Award – The Trooper of the Year Award is for the individual who has demonstrated unusual skill and ability in performing his/her duties.
- TPR Darrious Williams
- TFC Julius Rolland
- TPR Mark Charpentier
- TFC Chris Castro
- TFC Kenneth Fuselier
- TPR Jacob Hale
- TPR Nicholas Rowell *
- MT Samuel Lorio
- TPR Joshua Dennis
- Troopers Williams, Rolland, Charpentier, Castro, Fuselier, Hale, Lorio, and Dennis were awarded the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of their Trooper of the Year nomination.
Congratulations to these distinguished individuals who received an award and to those that have recently been promoted.