L’Observateur / March 20, 1999

HAHNVILLE – St. Charles Parish sheriff’s deputy Wayne Joseph receivedthe National Sheriffs Association’s Medal of Valor Wednesday for his rescue of a 6-year-old boy from a burning house in Luling.

Joseph, 27, was earlier named Deputy of the Year by the department.

On Nov. 8, 1998, Joseph responded to a house fire at 1036 Paul MaillardRoad. He entered the house to look for possible survivors while firedepartment personnel were still in route.

Once inside, he peered through the black smoke which filled the room and spotted the white sock of a child to one side. Joseph snatched up the child,brought him outside and prepared to re-enter. But he was forced back bythe flames and smoke.

He hand carried little Stephon Gordon to nearby St. Charles ParishHospital, but it was too late for Stephon’s 18-month-old brother, Broderick, and their grandfather, August Gordon Sr., who died in the fire.The Medal of Valor was presented by Sheriff Greg C. Champagne at theluncheon meeting Wednesday of the St. Charles Rotary Club at WillowdaleCountry Club.

Champagne called Joseph’s action “an act of outstanding personal bravery, intelligently performed, in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard of life.”The former U.S. Marine and National Guardsman recently received thedepartment’s Medal of Valor.

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