January 18th, 2012 - Gene Pittman has had a career in law enforcement for over 17 years. He joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office in November of 2004, as a Corrections Officer. In 2007, Gene was transferred to the Patrol Division where he worked night shift patrol. In 2008, he was transferred to the Vice Division and six months later to the Narcotics Division where he served as a Team Leader and ultimately a Supervising Sergeant.

Gene has remained in the Narcotics Division since that date and in 2002 was assigned to the Safe Streets Task Force. In January 2009, he was again promoted to Supervising Sergeant and named the Assistant Director of the CAT Drug Task Force. In January of 2012, Gene was promoted to Lieutenant and named the Director of the CAT Task Force.

Gene is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after being promoted to Lieutenant.

January 18th, 2012 - Michael Walker began his career at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 1997 where he worked in the jail. He was transferred to the Enforcement Division as a patrolman in 1998, and later promoted to Patrol Sergeant.

In 2004 Walker was transferred to Narcotics Division where he worked as a detective. In 2005 he was transferred to full-time ACT Team Unit. He has remained in the ACT Team Unit and was promoted to Lieutenant in November 2011.

Walker has also been a member of the Calcasieu Parish SWAT Team for the past 9 years. He is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after receiving his promotion to lieutenant.

January 5th, 2012 - John Reddin joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 2001 where he was employed as a corrections officer in the jail. He transferred to the Enforcement Division as a patrolman in 2003. Reddin has remained in the Patrol Division and was promoted to Senior Corporal in 2011 and in January 2012 he was promoted to Sergeant. He has also been a member of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Honor Guard for the past 6 years. Reddin is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after being promoted to Sergeant.

November 21, 2011 - On October 6, Deputy Tracey Willis with the CPSO Motorist Assistance Program (M.A.P.) was dispatched to assist a stranded car near mile marker 33 traveling east on I-10. When Deputy Willis spoke with the driver and passenger of the stranded vehicle, they began to act suspiciously.

A CPSO Patrol Deputy was called to assist and after receiving permission from the driver, he conducted a search of the car and discovered several chemicals inside the car that were consistent with the creation or operation of a clandestine lab, and also over 12 grams of meth.

Deputy Tracey Willis is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and save lives.

November 16, 2011 - On September 28, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office was notified Lake Charles City Police Department officers were investigating a homicide that occurred during the early morning hours. During their investigation, it was learned the victim's vehicle had been taken by the suspect and fled outside their jurisdiction.

Upon receiving this information, CPSO Sr. Cpl. Tomas Juarez and Deputy Robert Gates immediately began patrolling the area for the suspect and the vehicle involved. Due to their hard work and training, Sr. Cpl. Juarez and Deputy Gates were able to locate and detain the suspect.

Largely in part to the quick response of CPSO Sr. Cpl. Juarez and Deputy Gates, a homicide suspect was taken off the streets of Calcasieu Parish.

Sr. Cpl. Tomas Juarez and Deputy Robert Gates are pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.

NOVEMBER 21, 2011 - Tomas Juarez has had a career in law enforcement for over 10 years, joining the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 2006 as a deputy in the Patrol Division. Juarez has remained in the Patrol Division and was promoted to Senior Corporal in 2009 and in November 2011 he was promoted to Sergeant. He is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after receiving his promotion to Patrol Sergeant.

In July, CPSO Deputy Pat Liliedahl was asked to step in to assist in the CPSO Logistics Division, which was shorthanded due to another deputy's medical issue. Deputy Liliedahl accepted the task and began taking care of issues immediately, answering requests 24 hours a day without hesitation, in addition to his primary job at the CPSO Fleet Center. His dedication makes him an exemplary employee and deserving of recognition. Deputy Liliedahl is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a Challenge Coin for his outstanding work.

On October 5, deputies were dispatched to Westwood Road in Westlake regarding a missing child. Sr. Cpl. James Miller and Cpl. Kenny Higginbotham began relentlessly searching the area attempting to locate this young child. Largely in part to Sr. Cpl. James Miller and Cpl. Kenny Higginbotham's quick response, the young child was located several blocks away from her home. Sr. Cpl. James Miller and Cpl. Kenny Higginbotham are pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving commendation pins for going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.

On October 11, CPSO Deputy Leonard Crawford responded to a call regarding a man refusing to return a baby to the child's mother. Upon arrival, Deputy Crawford displayed professionalism and a caring attitude to calm the situation and return the child to his mother. This is one of many notifications that have been received by CPSO regarding Deputy Crawford taking the time to listen and assist the citizens of Calcasieu Parish in their time of need. Deputy Crawford is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a Challenge Coin for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and save lives.

In August, CPSO Deputy Seth Burke was assigned the task of assisting with the transitioning of changing radio systems. Deputy Burke was given a specific timeline with a strict deadline for completion. He worked countless hours, even on his own time to accomplish this task. As a result of his dedication, Deputy Burke not only completed his assignment in the time frame assigned to him, but completed it 2 weeks ahead of time. His dedication makes him an exemplary employee and deserving of recognition. Deputy Burke is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a Challenge Coin for his outstanding work.

On October 16, CPSO Dispatcher Deputy Lacey Greaney received a call from a concerned family member regarding a man that was threatening to harm himself. Deputy Greaney was able to keep the caller calm and get the information needed for a safe response for our patrolmen. Largely in part to Deputy Greaney's quick thinking and calm instructions, the man was located and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Deputy Greaney is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a Challenge Coin for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and save lives.

Randy Curtis has had a career in law enforcement for over 20 years. He joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 2002, as a deputy in the Patrol Division. In 2004, Curtis was transferred to the Investigation Division, where he worked as a detective in Violent Crimes. In August 2011, he was transferred to the Patrol Division and promoted to Sergeant. He is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after receiving his promotion to Patrol Sergeant.

Ryan Mareno began his career in law enforcement in 1995 and joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in May 2002, as a deputy in the Patrol Division. Mareno has remained in the Patrol Division and was promoted to Senior Corporal in 2008 and in August 2011 he was promoted to Sergeant. He is also the CPSO Marine Dive Team Supervisor, and a certified taser instructor in the Patrol Division and at the Calcasieu Parish Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy. He is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after being promoted to Sergeant.

On Wednesday, January 14, Cpl. Steven Arnold and Cpl. Gordon McGee were patrolling the neighborhood of Fairfax Drive in Lake Charles. While checking the residences of the area, the deputies noticed smoke coming from a home and immediately notified the LC Fire Department.

While checking the exterior of the residence, they heard the family cat in distress inside the residence. Cpl Arnold gained entry into the residence to attempt to rescue the animal and check for other victims, however due to the heat and smoke inside the home, he was unable to enter.

While checking for another entrance, Cpl. Arnold and Cpl. McGee located two dogs in kennels in the garage area of the home. Due to close proximity of the fire and the possible impending danger of the animals, Cpl. Arnold and Cpl. McGee, with no regard to their safety, removed the kenneled dogs from the home.

Cpl. Arnold and Cpl. McGee displayed courage and compassion while sacrificing their own possible well-being. Cpl. Steven Arnold and Cpl. Gordon McGee are pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Gerald Thomas began his career at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in July 1996 where he worked in the jail. In 1998, Thomas was transferred to the Investigation Division, where he has worked as a detective in Juveniles, Sex Crimes, Violent Crimes, Vice Division, and Domestic Violence. Thomas was promoted to Sergeant in 2008 and in July 2011 he was promoted to Lieutenant. He is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after receiving his promotion to lieutenant.

On Sunday, July 17, Deputy Travis Lavergne was dispatched to a medical emergency call at a home on Greenbriar Road regarding a man that fell while cutting grass and was having trouble breathing. Upon his arrival, the deputy checked the man and found he was not breathing and had no pulse. Deputy Lavergne began performing CPR until the ambulance arrived. The ambulance transported the man to a local hospital, where it was later determined that the man had suffered a heart attack. Largely in part to Deputy Lavergne's quick response, the victim received medical care and is now recovering.

Deputy Travis Lavergne is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.

Robbie Broussard joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 1992 where he was employed in the jail. He transferred to the Enforcement Division as a patrolman in 1994. Broussard became a detective in the Narcotics Division in 1999 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2004. In July 2011, Broussard was promoted to Lieutenant, and now is the supervisor over the Criminal Intelligence Division. Broussard is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after being promoted to lieutenant.

Darek Ardoin has been with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office for 13 years. During his career, he has worked his way to the rank of Lieutenant in Corrections, joined the S.W.A.T. Team as a negotiator, worked as a Domestic Violence detective, and was assigned to the Enforcement Division as a Patrol Supervisor. In May 2011 Ardoin was promoted as Lieutenant of the Patrol Division. He is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after being promoted to lieutenant.

James (Jim) Graves joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Office November, 1, 1989, as a deputy in the Patrol Division. March 1991, he started the original Field Training Program and remained coordinator until January 2001. In March 2002, he was promoted to Sergeant in the Patrol Division and then promoted to Lieutenant July 1, 2004. He remained in the Patrol Division until being promoted to Captain of the Programs Division on April 1, 2011. He is shown here being congratulated by Sheriff Tony Mancuso after being promoted to Captain.

In June 2011, Cpl. Liz King was on duty working security at Moss Regional Hospital emergency room, when she was approached by a patient. Cpl. King noticed the patient was hemorrhaging severely and quickly placed her in a wheelchair and brought the patient directly to the ER doctor.

While the only nurse was occupied with another patient, Cpl. King stayed in the room and assisted the ER doctor with stabilizing the patient who had uncontrolled bleeding. Cpl. King held the patient's hand, keeping her calm, and event assisted the doctor during an emergency procedure.

Cpl. King displayed courage and compassion to a perfect stranger. She is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a Challenge Coin for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and save lives.

During the morning hours of June 5, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office dispatchers began receiving several phone calls reporting a shooting off of Rustic View Drive in South Lake Charles. Two of the calls came in at the same time - one who was inside the residence and one who had managed to escape from inside the residence.

CPSO Dispatchers, Deputy Shelley Trahan and Deputy Julie Fontenot, were able to keep the callers calm and get the information needed for a safe response for our patrolmen. Both deputies displayed unmatched leadership and pure concern for the safety of the community and the safety of our responding deputies. They were able to keep themselves from becoming emotional and remain professional but compassionate during the entire several minute phone calls.

They are pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a Challenge Coin for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and save lives.

On Saturday, April 30, while off-duty and traveling home from supper with his family, Deputy Mike Dartez came across a traffic accident at an intersection just inside of Jeff Davis Parish. Deputy Dartez noticed a heavily damaged vehicle on the side of the road and another vehicle that was upside down in the ditch, and quickly and unselfishly stopped to assist the injured parties involved in the accident, where he remained until medical help arrived.

Deputy Dartez, a veteran of 16 years, displayed courage and compassion to a perfect stranger while sacrificing his own possible well-being. He is pictured with Sheriff Tony Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.

Sheriff Mancuso received a letter from a citizen praising Deputy Wendy Bushnell for working with him regarding vandalism, a break-in and theft at his home. The citizen said Detective Bushnell showed great concern for what had occurred and he felt she had gone beyond the call of duty and taken a personal interest in helping him.

Deputy Bushnell is shown receiving a commendation pin from Sheriff Mancuso for the professionalism she exhibited in assisting this citizen.

On September 30, 2010, the Houston River Volunteer Fire Department received a call a man was trapped under a tractor in a pond. Senior Cpl. Ryan Mareno was dispatched from the Sheriff's Office to assist the Fire Department. Upon his arrival, Sr. Cpl. Mareno took control of the incident, and with no concern for his own safety, jumped into the pond and rescued the trapped man.

Sr. Cpl. Mareno is seen receiving a Commendation Coin from Sheriff Mancuso for going above and beyond the call of duty to save this man's life.

On Tuesday, September 14, while eating lunch, a man started to choke on his food. Sgt. Jason Alexander approached the man and asked if he was alright. When the man responded negatively, Sgt. Alexander performed the Heimlich and was able to dislodge the food obstruction enough so the man could begin breathing on his own. Sgt. Alexander escorted the man to the restroom where he attempted to dislodge the remaining obstruction from the man's throat but was unable to do so. Sgt. Alexander called for an ambulance and remained with the man until the ambulance arrived to make sure he was able to continue breathing.

Sgt. Alexander is shown her receiving a commendation coin from Sheriff Tony Mancuso for going above and beyond the call of duty to save the man's life.

During the week of August 23, a woman departed on a plane from the Lake Charles Regional Airport and in her haste she failed to secure her car. When she realized this she called the airport and was transferred to Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Lt. Ted Dupin. She explained her dilemma and Lt. Dupin assured her he would see to it her car was secured. Her car was located and secured as best possible because one of her windows would not raise up all the way. Later that week it started to rain and Cpl. Isom Courville was on duty and was aware of the problem with the woman's car window. Cpl. Courville located a piece of plastic and covered the open window preventing rain from causing damage to her car.

In a letter to the Sheriff, the woman wrote she was put at ease through the professionalism of Lt. Dupin and Cpl. Courville. She also stated their actions reflect highly upon Sheriff Tony Mancuso and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.

Lt. Ted Dupin and Cpl. Isom Courville are shown here receiving a commendation pin from Sheriff Tony Mancuso for their take-charge attitude and going above and beyond the call of duty.

In May 2010, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office completed a new computer conversion which was a long process. Assistant Warden Darren Boyd, the Corrections Division Build Team Leader, directed the Corrections Division in preparing for this conversion. Assistant Warden Boyd's full time position is one with much responsibility and through this conversion process he has never faltered in maintaining his high level of efficiency in his regular duties.

Deputy Christopher Domingue, B-nights Shift Supervisor at the Calcasieu Correctional Center, has always excelled in his performance and proved invaluable in the last phase of this computer conversion. Deputy Domingue's attention to detail and personal achievements in knowledge of database technology and his willingness to apply it to work outside his normal scope of duties and assignment have made the completion of this project successful.

Assistant Warden Boyd and Deputy Domingue are pictured here with Sheriff Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for their outstanding work.

On May 15, Sheriff Tony Mancuso received a letter of appreciation from a Louisiana state trooper who stated when he arrived at the scene of an 18 wheeler accident on I-10 he observed Deputy Jarrod Durflinger, who was working the Motorist Assistance Program, known as "MAPS," at the time, directing traffic.

While the trooper was parking his car he observed a man, who was covered in blood, walking eastbound in the westbound lanes shouting obscenities. The trooper instructed the man over his loudspeaker to get off the interstate but the man ignored him and continued walking. Realizing the danger, Deputy Durflinger approached the man and attempted to remove him from the interstate but the man pulled away and became violent.

The letter from the trooper said Deputy Durflinger maintained his cool and tried to reason with the man as the trooper ran over and assisted him. Deputy Durflinger stayed behind to help open the interstate and assist in any way possible. The trooper was very complimentary of Durflinger's professionalism and the way he represented the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office so well.

Deputy Durflinger is pictured here with Sheriff Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for his selfless actions and prideful sense of duty.

On Monday, June 28, while off-duty, Detective Edwardo Borda, while jogging in his neighborhood, observed a suspicious man walking away from a car in a parking lot. As he was watching the man, he noticed a Lake Charles police officer drive up to the man at which time he took off running. The officer began a foot pursuit and Detective Borda secured the suspect's car to prevent him from returning to his car and fleeing the area. A few minutes later the suspect doubled back to his car where Borda approached him and identified himself as a law enforcement officer. When the suspect didn't comply to his command to get on the ground, Borda restrained him by forcing him to the ground. It was learned through an investigation that the suspect was wanted on charges of home invasion and aggravated rape.

Detective Borda displayed courage, a willingness to take a calculated risk in apprehending a suspect without a weapon, disregarding his own safety to apprehend the suspect who may or may not have possessed a weapon in an effort to protect the citizens of Calcasieu Parish. He is seen here receiving a commendation coin from Sheriff Mancuso for his heroic efforts.

On February 19, Deputy Jason Schnake received a call concerning the welfare of a nine year old boy who lived in South Lake Charles. The information Dep. Schnake received was the boy was very thin and possibly being forced to stay in his bedroom.

After receiving permission from his supervisor to leave his assigned area, Dep. Schnake drove to check on the boy. When he entered the house, he observed a dog leash tied from one door knob to the other across the hall and when the leash was released for him to enter the bedroom, Dep. Schnake observed an emaciated 9 year old boy weighing 38 pounds in a barren room laying on the only thing in the room, a half inch foam pallet which was filthy.

Dep. Schnake instructed the boy's step-mother and father to take him immediately to the hospital emergency room. The doctor at the hospital told Dep. Schnake that his actions saved the boy's life.

Deputy Schnake is seen here receiving a commendation coin from Sheriff Tony Mancuso for his take-charge attitude and for going above and beyond the call of duty.

In February 2010, Corporal Jake Cauvin, while working patrol, received an alarm call at a residence of an elderly couple. When he arrived he spoke with the lady who advised him everything was fine regarding the alarm but she was upset because she said something was wrong with her phone because a light was flashing. She asked Cpl. Cauvin to look at it to see if he could determine what was wrong with it.

Cpl. Cauvin took it apart and saw that the batteries in the phone were corroded. The elderly lady said she didn't have a spare battery so Cpl. Cauvin went to the store and bought her a battery for the phone which began working properly again. She was very grateful that he took the time to help her find a solution to her problem. He understood how important it was to her to have her phone working properly.

Cpl. Cauvin is pictured with Sheriff Mancuso receiving a commendation pin for the compassion and extra effort he showed to this elderly lady.

On February 2, 2010, Corporal Greg Nall received information regarding numerous burglaries involving men carrying high-powered weapons. While patrolling in Lake Charles, Nall observed a car parked in the roadway in the 2300 block of Van Buren St. occupied by two men. He further observed 2 more men in the carport area of the house wearing black ski masks.

After calling for back-up and concerned for the safety of the residents inside the house, and not his own, Cpl. Nall approached the men. Observing one of the men hand an item to one of the other men, Nall pulled his weapon and detained all four men even when one of them attempted to flee the scene. Upon further investigation, back-up deputies located two assault rifles lying in the grass in the backyard of the house.

Due to Cpl. Nall's initiative several burglaries were solved. His bravery and selflessness prevented the people in that home from being in harm's way and it helped to get 4 burglars off the streets of Calcasieu Parish.

He is pictured here receiving the CPSO Challenge Coin from Sheriff Tony Mancuso.

On January 16, Sgt. Ron Johnson was called by 911 in reference to two illegal aliens in need of rescue from an island located between CITGO Clifton Ridge and Greywood Golf Course.

While enroute Sgt. Johnson was notified that one of the stranded men was becoming unconscious, and the other was losing feeling in his body. The outside temperature was 48 degrees with a 25 mph gust from the north with a chill factor of 38 degrees with rain. Once the men were rescued and taken to the park, they were placed in the waiting ambulance and released to U S Border Patrol.

Later that night, CPSO Sergeant David Burnett called and advised that both were out of the hospital and that one of the men had been deported three times and had convictions for smuggling drugs. Sgt. Johnson took this information and decided to search the island where the two men were found. The next day Johnson, Patrick Hebert, and Reserve Deputy Michael Shetler searched for about 2 hours when they located foot prints coming from the water across from the CITGO Clifton Ridge Dock. The foot prints headed east away from the ship channel. Upon walking up the bank they went down a trail and discovered two life jackets, several plastic bags, and rope. Other tracks led about 40 yards to a tree where they recovered eight duffel bags with many packages of what appeared to be cocaine wrapped in balloons.

The eight duffel bags which contained approximately 400 pounds of cocaine were turned over to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Sgt. Johnson's selfless actions in taking it upon himself to go back out to the site on a Sunday because his instincts told him there may be drugs hidden on the island are a credit to this department.

Sgt. Burnett's communication with Johnson after the two illegal aliens had been arrested is what lead Johnson to go back out to the site and make the discovery of the 8 duffel bags.  Had it not been for Burnett going the extra mile and contacting Johnson with the information, that cocaine most likely would have ended up on the streets of Calcasieu Parish.

Johnson (top) and Burnett (bottom) are shown here receiving a challenge coin from Sheriff Mancuso because they went above and beyond the call of duty.