Slain Chitimacha officer among those to be honored posthumously

Sgt. Frederick Albert “Rick” Riggenbach is among the five Louisiana law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2013 that will be commemorated by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement in a special Medal of Honor ceremony.
The ceremony is scheduled at 9 a.m. Sept. 18, at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center in downtown Baton Rouge.
The Louisiana Law Enforcement Medal of Honor was established by the Louisiana Legislature in 1997 to recognize the service and ultimate sacrifice made by law enforcement officers for the protection and safety of the citizens of Louisiana.
This year, the commission will award the Medal of Honor to the following officers:
—Asst. Warden Peggy L. Sylvester, Opelousas Police Department.
—Deputy Steven George Netherland, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Police Officer II Rodney Renee Thomas, New Orleans Police Department.
—Deputy Jeff G. Watson, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
At the conclusion of this year’s ceremony, the number of Medal of Honor recipients will total 81 since the program’s inception.