By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The festive atmosphere at Friday’s homecoming game at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace was interrupted briefly as the tight-knit school community took a few minutes to honor one of its fallen alumni, Deputy Jeremy Triche, who was one of the St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff’s deputies killed in an ambush Aug. 16.

Triche played center for the Comets during his time at SCC, and his jersey, bearing the number 53, was retired before the start of the game.

Scores of officers from the Sheriff’s Office, including Sheriff Mike Tregre, lined up across the field and stood at attention as Principal Andrew Cupit, Athletic Director Frank Monica and other members of the SCC community presented Triche’s jersey along with a plaque to Triche’s family.

Before the start of the game, the school hosted its annual alumni cookoff as part of its homecoming festivities. Among those who served on the judging panel was Deputy Scott Boyington, who was the first officer wounded on the day Triche and Deputy Brandon Nielsen were slain.

Friday’s game was also dedicated to Marie Ory Dupont, who died suddenly one year ago.