Louisiana State Police Holds Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony

Baton Rouge – Earlier today, Louisiana State Police held its annual awards ceremony to honor Troopers, public safety personnel, and civilians from across the state for performing above and beyond the call of duty in 2024. Along with those individuals receiving awards, commissioned personnel who have been promoted since December 2024 received special acknowledgment for their achievement. The ceremony was held this afternoon at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy Auditorium on Independence Blvd. in Baton Rouge.

The law enforcement award ceremony is a prestigious event that honors 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 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. 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.

• Sgt. Nicholas Folse

Meritorious Service Award – 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.

• Lt. Jordan Garrett
• Sgt. Michael Mercante
• TFC Nicholas Dowdle
• Investigator Henry Dinh
• Sgt. Trent Hanks
• TFC Matthew Landry
• Investigator Anthony Pardo
• Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Stewart
• MT Michael Reichardt
• ST William Seymour
• TFC Jason Henson
• Sgt. Jayson Linebaugh
• ST Brennen Russell
• ST William Carmouche
• TPR Bronson Dauzat
• TPR Silas Axom

Lifesaving Award – Awarded for any act which results in saving or sustaining the life of a person.

• TPR Charles Seruntine
• Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Parker Dippel
• MT Daniel Butler
• TFC Mackenzie McKee
• TPR Shannon Constantine
• TFC Matthew Robinson
• TFC Timothy Clark
• TPR Spencer Freeman
• TFC Darnon Harper
• TPR John Gremillion
• Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Tanisha Washington

Lifesaving Award for Civilians – Awarded to citizens for acts which result in saving or sustaining the life of a person.

• Mr. Jose Caravajal
• Mr. Zachary Bouvier
• Mr. Shaun Rice
• Mr. Derrick Brown
• Mr. Kullen McCann
• Mr. Mytchell Williams
• Ms. Carolyn Ursin
• Mr. Paul Dahmer
• Mr. Chandler Spencer
• Mr. Renard Edwards
• Mr. Karl Dawson
• Ms. April Fontenot
• Mr. Glen Mixon

Exceptional Bravery Award for Citizens – Given for acts of bravery which result in the saving of a human life, or the attempt to do so, at the risk of one’s personal safety.

• Paramedic Josh Voras
• Mr. Jeffrey Faulstich

Service Injury Award – 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.

• TFC David Lowe
• TFC Kenneth Fuselier
• TFC Brian Coghlan
• Sgt. Jacob Hale

Medal of Valor Award – Given to individuals who perform acts that greatly exceed the normal demands of the Department with the possibility of receiving great bodily harm.

• TPR Roland Castille

Richard Honeycutt Award – Recognizes outstanding service and dedication to duty by communications officers of the State Police.

• Region 1 Communications Officer Supervisor Jada Johnson
• Region 2 Communications Officer Supervisor Julie Crawford
• Region 3 Communications Officer 3 Paige Pritchard *
(Communications Officers Jada Johnson and Julie Crawford were awarded the Meritorious Service Award for their nominations).

DPS Officer of the Year – Awarded to the individual who has demonstrated unusual skill and ability in performing his/her duties.

• DPS Corporal Matthew Mayeux

Investigator of the Year Award – Awarded to the Trooper/Investigator who has demonstrated unusual skill and ability in performing his/her duties.

• Sgt. Chance Boudreaux *
• TFC Matthew Landry
• Criminal Investigator Anthony Pardo
• Criminal Investigator Charles Spraggins Jr.
(TSO Landry, Inv. Pardo and Inv. Spraggins have been awarded the Meritorious Service Award for their nominations).

Trooper of the Year Award – Awarded to the individual who has demonstrated unusual skill and ability in performing his/her duties.

• TFC Brandon Blackburn – Troop A
• TPR John Gremillion – Troop B
• TPR Tyler Evans – Troop C *
• TFC Daniel Battise – Troop D
• TFC Ryan Wiggins – Troop E
• TFC Jason Henson – Troop F
• MT Samuel Lorio – Troop I
• TPR Ryan Young – Troop L
• Sgt. Tomas Quintero – Troop NOLA
(Troopers Blackburn, Gremillion, Battise, Wiggins, Henson, Lorio, Young, and Quintero were awarded the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of their Trooper of the Year nomination).

Superintendent’s Award for Excellence – Issued to individuals, sections, or troops in recognition of outstanding performance or achievement.

• Louisiana Department of Justice – Office of Attorney General

Congratulations to these distinguished individuals who received an award and to those who have recently been promoted.

Contact Information:
Lt. Jared L. Sandifer
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (225) 925-6202
[email protected]