On Sunday May 3, 2009 at 10:00am The Houma Police Department conducted its annual family day event and Police Officer of the year award ceremony. Detective Travis Theriot was chosen by a majority vote of the Houma Police Department Members for this award.

Travis Theriot was hired as a patrolman by the Houma Police Department on July 18, 1999. He was chosen as police officer of the year in 2002. He has been part of the Houma Police Investigative Services Division since 2003. Detective Travis Theriot has displayed all knowledge, skills and abilities that have made him an outstanding detective. Detective Theriot not only displays the aforementioned attributes, but he also shows a passion for the job, such as a tremendous respect for victims, witnesses, etc. When a serial killer was targeting several male subjects within the Houma area, a task force involving many law enforcement agencies was formed. Detective Theriot worked hand and hand with other detectives from various agencies, developing leads that ultimately led to the arrest of Ronald Dominique. He has a strong dedication for solving investigations.

Once this chapter in Houma's history was closed, Detective Theriot continued carrying the same desire and determination even more aggressively in the Investigative Services Division at the Houma Police Department. When assigned a task, big or small, he makes sure every avenue is covered, and is the first to render assistance to other investigators.

There are many, many other accomplishments and tasks Detective Theriot has completed that can be mentioned to recognize him, but the list will be tremendously long. One task strongly etched in my mind that I'll always cherish is his dedication during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike where he repaired generators throughout Terrebonne Parish making sure officers had somewhere comfortable to sleep, during these trying times. As Interim Police Chief of the Houma Police Department I commend Detective Travis Theriot for a job well done. Detective Travis Theriot, I applaud you.

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Also during the event the following officers received accommodations for their outstanding job performances within the past year.

In the early morning hours of January 20, 2009, Officer Kristina Payne was patrolling her assigned area of Morgan and Andrew Street and observed the a fire burning underneath the porch at 115 Morgan Street, Officer Kristina Payne, notified the Houma Police Department Dispatch for Houma Fire assistance and then successfully alerted the occupants of 115 and 115 ½ Morgan to exit the structures, Officers Kristina Payne and Earl Ellis, without regards for their own safety and well being, attempted to contain the fire with two fire extinguishers until Houma Fire arrived and completely extinguished the fire.

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In the early morning hours of September 7, 2008, during the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, Officers responded to an emergency medical call at 2603 Bryant Street where it was reported that a generator was running inside of the residence. Officers Rusty Theriot, Brad Cadiere, Kristina Payne and Celeste Theriot responded to the call and immediately entered the residence, without regards for their own safety and well being saved the lives of four occupants of 2603 Bryant Street.

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The Louisiana State Police, Criminal Investigations Division, thanked Lt. Jude McElroy, Detective Travis Theriot, Detective Nicole Voisin, Detective Trey Lottinger, Detective Jarrod Matherne, and Detective Keith Breaux for their assistance regarding the execution of a search warrant at a residence on Alex Williams Lane in West Houma. The Louisiana State Police commented on the Detectives displaying great competence and professionalism during the operation, which resulted in the seizure of sixteen (16) bags of marijuana, seven (7) dosage units of ecstasy, and a Desert Eagle 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

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Ms. Virginia DeFraites commended Officer Jacob Pellegrin for assisting in her and her neighbor's rescue during Hurricane Ike. She commented how beautiful the HUMVEE was when she was removed from her home in a small boat and brought to a safer area and picked up by Officer Pellegrin and members of the 239th Military Police Company.

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Ms. Patricia Podskoc of Warner Robbins, Georgia, commended Detective Travis Theriot for his impressive work with regards to a car jacking involving her son, John S. Ravan. Ms. Podskoc used words like, your genuine concern, professional expertise and diligence regarding the locating and recovery of her vehicle. She was also impressed that he showed sympathy to her son who was hospitalized as a result of the car jacking.

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Officer Terry Boquet has served as a Houma Police Department Field Training Officer during the period of May 22, 2008 to August 23, 2008, Officer Terry Boquet, has distinguished himself as a model for Field Training Officers by going above and beyond the normal course of instruction and mentoring, Officer Terry Boquet, possesses the ability as well as the drive to train new police officers to do the best that they can.

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On September 20, 2008, at approximately 5:17 p.m. Officer Cory Johnson responded to a medical emergency at 316 Glynn Avenue where an eighty-six year old male was unresponsive, Officer Cory Johnson was able to assess that the male subject had a pulse and breathing faintly but still not responding, accomplished a chest rub at which time the male subject stopped breathing, Officer Cory Johnson began CPR subsequent to the male subject not breathing and continued the CPR until Acadian Ambulance personnel arrived, and later the male subject received a pacemaker and survived.

For more information, contact:
Interim Chief Todd M. Duplantis
Houma Police Department
(985) 873-6319