By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — It’s been 730 days since Daniell Nielsen and Misty Triche have seen their husbands, 730 days since six children have seen their father and 730 days since the actions of seven cowards took the lives of two of St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Office’s finest deputies.

Today, the worst of anniversaries is marked as Daniell and Misty remember this date as the one in which their husbands sacrificed their lives for law and order.

St. John Parish Deputy Sheriffs Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche were shot and killed in LaPlace two years ago today by members of a domestic terrorist group known as the Sovereign Citizens. The men were killed while investigating an earlier shooting that wounded a Sheriff’s Office investigator.

“The thing I miss most about Brandon is being someone’s No. 1,” Daniell said. “He was my No. 1, and I was his … it’s daunting to think I may never have that again.”

Misty said the things she misses the most about Jeremy are his smile and seeing him with their son Kade.

“Jeremy and Kade had this special bond that was like no other,” Misty said. “It was truly astounding to watch them together.”

At 5 a.m. on Aug. 16, 2012, shots rang out when a man opened fire on an investigator working an off-duty security detail at a remote parking lot in St. John Parish used by a construction company for contract employees.

Responding units located a car they believed had been involved in the shooting in a nearby mobile home park. As deputies, including Nielsen and Triche, questioned two men outside of a mobile home, a third man suddenly exited the home and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, striking all three deputies.

Nielsen and Triche died as a result of the ambush. Two other deputies, Jason Triche and Michael “Scott” Boyington, faced an arduous recovery process.

Seven suspects were arrested and held in connection with shootings. While some have been handed sentences, others are still awaiting trial.

Brandon had served with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office for one year, and Jeremy had served with the department for four years.

Daniell now raises her and Brandon’s five children Tyler, Cody, Jared, Gabby and Lily, while Misty raises her and Jeremy’s son, Kade.

The death of their husbands drew the two women together, and today they are the best of friends.

“It’s been a tough journey, and Misty gets it,” Daniell said this week. “I understand her and she understands me like no one else. I hate that she hurts, but I’m so glad I don’t have to experience this alone.”

Daniell said she will spend today with Misty and a small group of their family and friends who have served as a support system for the women.

One thing the women absolutely agree on is how much their husbands loved their jobs.

“I believe with all my heart Brandon was born to be a police officer,” Daniell said. “He loved being a police officer. It was his passion, his calling.”

Misty echoed similar sentiments about Jeremy.

“Being a police officer was more than just a job to Jeremy,” Misty said. “It was almost like he was born to be a police officer. He truly loved what he did and wanted to make a difference.”

The women said they follow the cases of the people accused in their husbands’ death, but are careful to not let the pursuit of justice consume their lives.

“I can’t bring myself to be face-to-face with the suspects that destroyed my life, along with Kade’s, and so many other lives two years ago,” Misty said, explaining why she doesn’t attend the courtroom proceedings.

With so many people working to ensure the accused are convicted, Misty said she is confident justice will be served. Daniell agrees.

“I have absolute faith justice will be served here on Earth and after,” she said.

The women said on this anniversary they hope the community will remember their husbands as loving, loyal and generous men who were completely committed to their families and jobs, the very thing that resulted in their lives ending so prematurely.