City of Gonzales, GPD and GFD show support for Ascension Parish hero

The Chief’s Own Honor Guard members for the City of Gonzales Police Department who watched over Officer LaValley’s Coffin are from left Corporal Randy Clouatre Jr., Officer Derek LeBlanc and Officer Walter Taylor.

From left are City of Gonzales Assistant Chief Leland Sykes, NYPD P.O. Michael Rogers, City of Gonzales Chief of Police Sherman Jackson, NYPD Sergeant Jonathan Sudsky and Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley.

The City of Gonzales Fire Department proudly flew the American flag along Airline Highway for the procession to travel under on their way to Officer Thomas LaValley’s final resting place.

Members of the City of Gonzales Fire Department stand at attention and salute as the casket and family of Officer Thomas LaValley passes along Airline Highway.

City of Gonzales Police Department Motors Officers Anthony Cantrelle and Jimmie Dunaway await their spot in Officer LaValley’s funeral procession.

City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux is seen with Brotherhood of the Fallen members from the Chicago Police Department.

City of Gonzales Chief of Police Sherman Jackson is seen with Shreveport Police Department Chief Willie Shaw.

From left are NYPD P.O. Jairo Gonzaleszarango, Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley, City of Gonzales Councilman Kenny Matassa, City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux and NYPD P.O. Lauren Herbert.

Patrol Units from the City of Gonzales Police Department join their way in the procession to Officer LaValley’s final resting place.

Gonzales, LA – City of Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux and Chief of the City of Gonzales Police Department Sherman Jackson were among of hundreds of visitors paying their respects to Shreveport Police Officer Thomas LaValley at his wake on Monday morning, August 10. LaValley, a 29 year-old St. Amant native, was killed in the line of duty on August 5 when answering a call about a suspicious person. He was shot multiple times and died from his injuries.

Both Mayor Arceneaux and Chief Jackson met with Shreveport Police Chief Willie Shaw and members of departments from as far away as New York and Chicago who had come to show their support and their respect.

“It’s incredibly moving to see all of these men and women coming to our area to pay their respects for a fellow officer,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “When you speak to them, there was no hesitation in their coming here. They heard that one of their own had been killed, and they just came. That’s respect.”

“Law enforcement is a brotherhood,” said Police Chief Jackson. “When one of our own dies, the entire law enforcement community feels that pain. As a Chief, it’s something you pray you will never have happen under your watch. Seeing this outpouring of support is overwhelming, but expected in this line of work. But even though, it’s expected, I’ll never get used to just how powerful a statement it makes to law enforcement as a whole.”

Members of the City of Gonzales Police Department’s Honor Guard were also at the funeral home to watch over the coffin until the procession began to take LaValley to his final resting place at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Motors Officers and Patrol Units fell into line as the procession began.

While Mayor Arceneaux and Chief Jackson were visiting with the family of LaValley and the numerous law enforcement personnel from across Louisiana and the United States, the City of Gonzales Fire Department were hard at work displaying a giant American flag for LaValley’s body, his family, friends and the entire procession to drive under along Airline Highway. The sight was a beautiful one, as firefighters form the City of Gonzales Police Department lined the highway in full salute.

“Public Safety is a career path that we all take incredibly seriously,” said District Chief Preston Landry. “We show our support for all public servants, as we’re a family. We will always continue to honor the fallen for they are the ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”