RECOGNITION OF THOSE WHO SERVED
In
the past 26 years, I was never more proud to be Sheriff of Jefferson
Parish
than I was during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Because
of our training, planning, vast inventory and dedication to duty, the
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office responded magnificently to our citizen’s
needs. It must also be said, in truth, that we were extremely fortunate
that we did not bear the full brunt of Katrina. Nevertheless, the men and
women of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office have never served
as heroically and selflessly as they did during Katrina. We all owe them
a debt of gratitude.
Of the more than 1,600 fatalities in Louisiana as a result
of Katrina, 26 Jefferson residents died as a direct result of storm, including
eight who died of carbon monoxide poisoning. We mourn each of those who
died and join with their families in remembrance of their lives, their
achievements, their hopes and their dreams.
As
the water rose and our JPSO officers reported that hundreds of people
needed to be rescued, I made a public appeal asking anyone with
a boat to meet me in the parking lot at Sam’s on Airline Drive to
mount a volunteer rescue effort. Within an hour, we had 50 volunteers with
their boats. By the end of the day, there were more than 150 volunteers
with boats. They left their homes and families to come rescue strangers.
And, rescue them they did, pulling people out of terrible situations. They
risked their lives to help people they’d never met before. We have
no list of their names. Some were white. Some were black. They came from
as far away as Lafayette.
They
will be forever anonymous, Jefferson Parish’s
Emergency Navy. I hope they become one of the legends of Hurricane Katrina – they
came, they rescued and when there was no one left to rescue, they went
home asking not even for a word of thanks. But, in my book, every single
one of them can be described by a four-letter word – HERO!
In
our dark memories of the difficult days after Katrina, we recall those
points of light that were the police men and women, the firefighters,
the medical workers, the essential parish employees, utility workers,
and others. These were the first responders who went to work even as
the storm still raged to rescue people, preserve property, and maintain
order. Their actions sent a message throughout this community and far
beyond that our will to survive was not broken and hope was not lost.
To
the men and women who risked their lives to save others, who bore the
burden of separation from their loved ones, who set aside concern for
their own losses, who worked to the point of exhaustion and then worked
some more, I thank you. The people of Jefferson Parish thank you. You will
remember the events of one year ago. You must also always remember
the gratitude of the people of Jefferson Parish.
Sincerely,
Parish
President
 |
 |
 |
 |
First
Responders |
Father
John Talamo |
Presentation of
Colors |
Sheriff
Harry Lee |
| Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office | Grand Isle Fire Department | ||
Gretna Police Department |
Harahan Volunteer Department | ||
| Westwego Police Department | Harvey #2 Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Lafitte Police Department | Lafitte / Barataria / Crown Pointe Fire | ||
| Kenner Police Department | Live Oak Manor Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Harahan Police Department | Marrero Estelle Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Grand Isle Police Department | Marrero Harvey Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Louisiana State Police Troop B | Marrero Ragusa Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Causeway Police Department | Nine Mile Point Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Harbor Police Department | Terrytown Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Crescent City Connection Police | Third District Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| East Bank Consolidated Fire Department | Herbert Wallace Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Kenner Fire Department | Westwego Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Avondale Volunteer Fire Department | East Jefferson Emergency Medical Service | ||
| Bridge City Volunteer Fire Department | West Jefferson Emergency Medical Service | ||
| David Crockett Volunteer Fire Department | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries | ||
| Gould Volunteer Fire Department | |||