At the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting in Baton Rouge on April 3, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) honored 10 Enforcement Division agents for their bravery during the January 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans.
The 10 agents received the LDWF Medal of Merit for their response while working security during the mass casualty event in New Orleans.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group of agents who in the face of danger ran towards the danger,” said Col. Stephen Clark, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division. “Their actions were not simply performed out of duty but out of an unwavering commitment to public safety and the preservation of life. Their fearlessness, professionalism and quick reaction to this heinous situation is highly commendable and they deserve every acknowledgement.”
The agents awarded the LDWF Medal of Merit are:
- Lt. Suni Nelson
- Sgt. James Bruce
- Sgt. James Smith
- Sgt. Carl Armstrong
- Sgt. Devin Bryant
- Corporal Tib Guillory
- Senior Agent Rebecca Bercegeay
- Senior Agent Mason Castello
- Senior Agent Christopher Pippin
- Senior Agent John Stansbury
These agents were on a security detail for New Year’s Eve and Sugar Bowl events within the French Quarter in the early morning hours of Jan. 1 when a terrorist act occurred on Bourbon Street resulting in 14 fatalities and 57 injuries.
When the terrorist act occurred, these agents immediately responded to the scene while not knowing if the threat had yet been neutralized or about any bombs that were later found in the area. Once the threat was neutralized, agents immediately began helping render aid to victims and assisting in securing the area.
This is the first time that LDWF has awarded the Medal of Merit. The medal is granted for conspicuous and intrepid gallantry at the risk of life with full awareness of that risk.