BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – On October 30, the Louisiana Law Enforcement Commission held its annual Medal of Honor ceremony, honoring those who lost their lives in the line of duty last year. They honored 8 officers, two of whom were involved in a helicopter crash in Baton Rouge last year.

Sergeant David Poirrier and Corporal Scotty Canezaro were both helicopter pilots for the Baton Rouge Police Department, which was unique and fairly new. BRPD Chief Thomas Morse says Sgt. Poirrier was one of the first pilots for the BRPD and even helped start the air support unit. Morse says he was able to work closely with Cpl. Canezaro in patrol uniform when he was just starting out.

“What I say about the Baton Rouge Police Department is we’re big enough that we have a lot of opportunities and a lot of places for people to move around — a lot of specialized divisions, but we’re small enough. where we’re still a family,” Chief Morse says.

According to Sgt. Poirrier’s brother, Daniel, Sgt. Poirrier always wanted to be a part of that family. Daniel said his brother has always wanted to be in law enforcement since he was little.

“It was just in his blood. He just loved what he did. And like you said, he died doing what he loved,” says Daniel.

Cpl. Canezaro’s wife, Chelsea, says it’s been a tough year, but she knows he also died doing what he loved.

“I absolutely loved what he did. Even knowing what would have happened, it wouldn’t have changed anything. And that definitely brings us some comfort and some peace of mind,” says Chelsea.

As hard as the loss was, all those present at the Medal of Honor ceremony radiated feelings of being proud of their loved ones, who found their calling and made the ultimate sacrifice.

“When we wear this badge and we leave home every day, we know that there’s a possibility that we’re not coming home, and we take it, you know, on the chin and just go out there to serve the community,” Morse says. “Flying that helicopter and helping try to catch a bad guy — so yeah, it wouldn’t have changed anything in their careers, I don’t think, even knowing what I know.”

The other officers recognized at the ceremony were from across the state.

• Trevor Abney, Senior Police Officer for the New Orleans Police Department
• Barry Giglio, Deputy Marshal for Ville Platte
• Shawn Kelly, Corporal Denham Springs Police Department
• Carl Douglas Kimball, an officer for the St. Louis Police Department. Francisville
• Marilyn Mayo, Deputy Sheriff for the St. Parish Sheriff’s Office. Tammany
• Nicholas Pepper, Detective Sergeant for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office
• K-9 “Harrie”, Shreveport Police Department

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