St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre will lead a Candlelight Vigil this evening at 7 p.m. on the front lawn of the Percy Hebert Building in LaPlace.

The solemn tribute is part of a nationwide observance of National Police Week.

Many thousands of law enforcement officers are in Washington, DC this week in recognition of the remembrance, where numerous events honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice — losing their life while serving in the line of duty.

The men and women of  St. John Parish don’t have to turn their eyes to the nation’s capital to experience such raw emotions. We know all too well the pain that comes when local officers lose their lives while serving this region.

Just yesterday, the Sheriff’s Office’s newly constructed, state-of-the-art dog kennel that houses K-9 officers was named in honor of Jeremy Triche, who served as a K-9 officer for the SJSO.

Triche and deputy Brandon Nielsen were killed, ambush style, while investigating an August 2012 shooting in St. John.

Recently, Jeremy’s widow, Misty Triche, told L’OBSERVATEUR how much Jeremy loved this parish and wanted to make things better for those who lived here.

“He looked proud every single time,” she said when Jeremy put on his uniform. “I remember the day he graduated from the academy and he was in full dress guard. He just had this look on his face that was indescribable joy and happiness that he was going to be able to start doing what he loved doing.”

That attitude is infectious for residents when recognized in their law enforcement officers. When that is taken away, there is a hole that feels like it can never be filled.

Residents of St. John Parish, and those of the entire River Region, have lost many impactful law enforcement officers, who were killed simply because they were brave enough to put on a uniform.

We join with Sheriff Tregre and the rest of our neighbors in honoring their legacy this evening.