Law enforcement officers honored

Seven St. Mary Parish law enforcement officers were recognized for dedication to their jobs and community Tuesday by the St. Mary Detachment of the Marine Corps League at American Legion Post 242 in Patterson.
A marine enforcement specialist from the Coast Guard was included for the first time in the annual list of law enforcement personnel honored by the league.
David Martin, detachment commandant, said he pushed to include recognizing Coast Guard officers because “law enforcement is law enforcement and these guys are out there keeping our coasts safe.”
ME3 Allan Roy accepted the first Coast Guard Law Enforcement Officer of the Year plaque issued by the Marine Corps League after being introduced by his supervisor, ME2 Dale Bullock.
Other officers honored Tuesday night included Chitimacha Tribal Police Detective Sgt. Jada Breaux, Berwick police officer Jonathan Henry, Patterson Police Sgt. Kirby Madison, Morgan City police officer Dustin Fromenthal, St. Mary Sheriff Capt. Joe Clements and Baldwin police officer Alfred Evans.
With about 80 people attending the awards ceremony and dinner, Martin announced each selection and invited them to the podium with their supervisor who made extemporaneous comments about each officer.
Roy, who will be transferring to Galveston soon, said he had been kept in the dark about his selection and was surprised to hear he was being recognized for his service. Bullock told Roy that it had been an honor to serve with him and wished he could continue to serve together with him in Morgan City.
Chitimacha Tribal Chief of Police Blaise Smith said Breaux is in the community all the time as a DARE officer and investigator. She worked through the ranks and eventually he had to make a rank for her as the first detective sergeant. Breaux’s diligent investigations have led to a 100 percent success rate in convictions for her, Smith said.
Berwick Assistant Police Chief David Leonard said Henry is a 14-year veteran of the Berwick Police Department and may succeed him as the assistant chief. He praised Henry as someone with all the good attributes of a “young man, husband, father and police officer. … He has never turned down a job when called to his duty.”
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle said Madison is a veteran 17-year officer working undercover with police agencies throughout the state and assisting in some major drug-busting operations. Madison’s work in Patterson and other communities gave him a “good feeling to see us coming together and working together to do what we have to do to keep America what it is today,” he said.
Morgan City Police Chief Michael Banks said Fromenthal is a “spark to the people you work with … protecting our community. We are fortunate to have an officer like you.” He said it was his pleasure and honor to work with Fromenthal.
Maj. Scott Anslum of the sheriff’s office said Clements has many years of wisdom that he shares on a daily basis. Clements is an “integral part of our training division and he shares his wisdom with other agencies as well,” Anslum said. “He goes above and beyond what is expected of him.”
Baldwin Police Chief Gerald Minor said he has always been able to count on Evans when he is needed. “When (Evans) is called on he comes out. You name it and he does it,” Minor said. “It is an honor to recognize him.”