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. Triche graduated from St. Charles Catholic in 2002.

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

It was an emotional night for Jeremy’s parents as they remembered their son. 

“It’s an honor.  Jeremy was a hard worker.  Coach Frank had a large and impressionable influence on Jeremy coming through the school,” said Jeremy’s father, Mike Triche.

“It’s been sheerly amazing the support and the love that we felt from this entire community,” said Misty Triche, Jeremy’s widow.

“Words can never express how thankful we are. Because of this, Kade will always know his father. He’ll never be forgotten,” she said.

Friday’s game, which saw the Comets defeat St. James High, 41-0, was also dedicated to Marie Ory Dupont, who died suddenly one year ago.

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. Other judges included New Orleans Saints Special Teams Coach Greg McMahon, his father, Jack McMahon, St. John the Baptist Parish Coroner Dr. Christy Montegut, L’Observateur General Manager and Managing Editor David Vitrano and WWL Channel 4 reporter Monica Hernandez.

Nine dishes were presented to the judges during the fifth incarnation of the cookoff, and they chose the team led by chefs Paul Jensen and David Desilvey and sponsored by Wayne Jones as the winner.

“We really enjoy this Friday night pre-football event each year because it brings our SCC Alumni and the entire community together,” said Cupit.