Press Releases

Ipson Named Deputy of the Year

Friday, April 19, 2002

Sheriff Michael W. Neustrom honored several Deputies and Retirees at an award cermony held at the Clifton Chenier Center Thursday, April 18, 2002. Retirees recognized at the ceremony included Deputy Earl Guidry, serving since 1986; Detective Rose Leger, serving since 1987; and Colonel James Romero, serving from 1965-1968, and again from 1987 until April 2002. During Colonel Romero's time away from the Sheriff's Office, he worked with the Lafayette City Police, and served as Police Chief from 1981-1987. Also recognized at the ceremony were Sheriff’s Special Recognition Award Recipients Deputy Mike Thomas and Deputy Kristie Carpenter, along with Service Pin Recipients.

Deputies of the Quarter honored during the ceremony included: Deputy Susan Durio, Detective Byron Melancon, Deputy Conrad Dugas, Deputy Michael Dugas, Sergeant Wanda Daly, Sergeant Ramona Klumpp, Lieutenant Vanessa Cormier, Sergeant Doug Daly,
Deputy Jeff Gary, Sergeant Dennis Carriere, Sergeant Todd Mouton,
Deputy Jaime Wiley,Deputy Marc Roger, Deputy Kyle Ipson, Deputy Cindy Carriere,Sergeant Shawn Segura. The Deputy of the Year was chosen from the above pool of Deputies of the Quarter - Deputy Kyle Ipson is the 2001 Deputy of the Year - A 12-year veteran with the LAFAYETTE Sheriff’s Office, Ipson was recently assigned as a Field Training Officer from the Patrol Division. His award was based on two incidents that occurred while he was serving as a Patrol Deputy.
On 11/30/01, Deputy Ipson responded to the scene of a crude oil tank explosion. Having been advised that a young boy was at the scene, the Deputy (“with little regard for his own safety”) rushed within 100 feet of the sight (fire produced flames seen from miles away) and with assistance from others, loaded the boy in his unit and moved him to a safe location until an ambulance arrived.
On 12/11/01, our Deputy of the Year responded with others to a 911 call involving a suicide threat. Our Deputy was able to identify the subject’s vehicle, establish communication with him, and ultimately convince him to relinquish his weapon, thereby averting the suicide.
Deputy Ipson is a prime example of the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office motto "Serving the community with courtesy, professionalism and respect" - CONGRATULATIONS!

Donna Delahoussaye
Media Relations/Project Coordinator
Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
337-236-5814