Western Louisiana Honors Fallen Officers, 2023

SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La.: The Western District’s U.S. Attorney’s Office is paying tribute to four law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

During National Police Week, which runs from May 15th through May 21st, the community comes together to honor the fallen officers, their family members, friends, and fellow officers they left behind.

"National Police Week is a special opportunity to recognize the great and heroic work of law enforcement officers," said U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley. "We pay a special tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. There is no greater service to one’s community than to be prepared to die for the safety of others."

This year, the names of 128 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., during the 28th Annual 2016 Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13th. These names include officers who were killed during 2015 and officers who died in previous years who have not been previously added to the Memorial.

The fallen officers from the Western District of Louisiana include:

• Juandre Devon Gilliam Sr., Jeanerette Police Department, who died April 8, 2015;

• Thomas Joseph LaValley, Shreveport Police Department, who died August 5, 2015;

• Steven J. Vincent, Louisiana State Police, who died August 24, 2015; and

• Henry Andres Nelson, Sunset Police Department, who died August 26, 2015.

As part of the tribute, the U.S. Attorney’s Office offers safety and survival training to local public safety officers. The Western District’s Law Enforcement Community Coordinator, Mike Campbell, oversees the course curricula and sessions, which are open to federal, state, local, military, and tribal law enforcement officers.

"We are committed to providing training to assist our law enforcement officers to do their jobs better and safer," Finley stated. "Our goal is for all public safety officers to return home to their families at the end of their shifts each and every day."

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