First graduating class of cadets in more than three years will be assigned statewide
For the first time in more than three years, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries commissioned 13 new agents into the enforcement division during a graduation ceremony Tuesday.
The 27th class of cadets completed six months of physical and academic training at the Baton Rouge academy, and will be assigned statewide, according to a press release.
“You have a tremendous responsibility to protect Louisiana’s rich natural resources and those who enjoy those resources, whether in the field or on the water. Congratulations on your achievement which we celebrate today,” said Robert Barham, LDWF’s secretary. “These 13 cadets are very much needed to help bolster the ranks of agents in the state as this is our first graduation in over three years.”
The 13 new agents and their duty assignments are:
Todd Abshire, 25, of Lake Charles, assigned to Cameron Parish
William Bartlett, 28, of Slidell, assigned to Plaquemines Parish
Richard Bean, 27, of Marrero, assigned to Lafourche Parish
Jeffrey Farmer, 26, of New Orleans, assigned to Jefferson Parish
Lance Fox, 26, of Pineville, assigned to the Southern Strike Force
Joshua Harris, 24, of Farmerville, assigned to the Northern Strike Force
John Hattaway, 23, of Bastrop, assigned to the Northern Strike Force
Lucas Hidalgo, 26, of Franklin, assigned to the Southern Strike Force
Jake Hoover, 24, of Albany, assigned to Beauregard Parish
Kyle Wagner, 24, of Destrehan, assigned to St. Charles Parish
Derek Ware, 24, of Sieper, assigned to Sabine Parish
Tyler Wheeler, 22, of Monroe, assigned to the Northern Strike Force
Max Wilkinson, 24, of Marksville, assigned to West Feliciana Parish
The graduating agents will fill vacancies in LDWF’s enforcement division and will be assigned to field-training officers for their first six months of duty, according to the release.
