23 new LDWF enforcement agents sworn in Wednesday

New agents will fill vacancies across the state, LDWF says

The newest class of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents graduated Wednesday morning in a ceremony at department headquarters in Baton Rouge.

After seven month of physical and academic training, 23 new agents were commissioned to begin enforcing hunting, fishing and boating regulations across the state, according to a news release.

“Going through the department’s training process has shaped these cadets into agents for what we hope is a long and successful career with the department,” Jack Montoucet, LDWF secretary, said.  “I’m proud to be a part of this graduation and to serve as their first secretary of the department.”

Col. Joey Broussard, head of the enforcement division, presented certificates to the class and recited the oath of office to officially transition the cadets into commissioned agents.

“We welcome these cadets into the enforcement division ranks as they fill much needed positions across the state.  Today we celebrate a much deserved graduation day,” Broussard said. “Going forward these newly decorated agents will be required to hit the ground running with their assigned field agents for additional on-the-job training for the next six months.”

The 23 new agents are:

Zachary Allen, of Prairieville, assigned to Ascension Parish

Javier Bazaldua, of Plaquemine, assigned to Southern Strike Force

Jonathan Boudreaux, of Raceland, assigned to Plaquemines Parish

Anthony Corner, of Duson, assigned to Plaquemines Parish

Seth Courtney, of Hammond, assigned to East Feliciana Parish

Cameron Densmore, of Farmerville, assigned to Avoyelles Parish

Dylan Egan, of Covington, assigned to Vermillion Parish

Jeremiah Fletcher, of Bentley, assigned to Sabine Parish

Thomas Forehand, of Metairie, assigned to Plaquemines Parish

Justin Greer, of Minden, assigned to Red River Parish

Charley Hawkes, of Jena, assigned to Natchitoches Parish

Richard Heinold, of Highland, Illinois, assigned to St. Bernard Parish

Amanda LeBlanc, of Lafayette, assigned to Cameron Parish

Zachary Meche, of Church Point, assigned to Jefferson Davis Parish

Michael Meserole, of Bossier City, assigned to Bossier Parish

Jonathan Morrison, of Houma, assigned to Southern Strike Force

Jacob Neal, of Deville, assigned to Natchitoches Parish

Harvey Pearce, of Noble, assigned to Sabine Parish

Matthew Perkins, of Lafayette, assigned to Catahoula Parish

Gerald Sander, of Amite, assigned to St. James Parish

James Smith, of Hornbeck, assigned to Sabine Parish

Michael Treadway, of Lake Charles, assigned to Calcasieu Parish

Jeremy Triplett, of Little Rock, Ark., assigned to Desoto Parish

During the ceremony, Pearce received the firearms award given to the best marksman in the class, the physical training award for being the most fit and the overall award given for the highest cumulative score for firearms, academics and physical training.  Forehand received the academic award for having the highest grades, the release states.