LAPLACE — Those who know him say St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Sgt. Douglas Buckler is a man of few words.

Buckler was left practically speechless Thursday night when St. John Councilwoman Raj Pannu and Sheriff Mike Tregre presented him with the Officer of the Year award at a ceremony in LaPlace.

Buckler, who is originally from Michigan, joined the Sheriff’s Office two years ago after a stint with the New Orleans Police Department.

He is a member of the tight-knit Special Operations Unit, which last year conducted an investigation that led to the recovery of more than 200,000 Xanax pills with a street value of more than $1 million and helped break up a national drug distribution ring.

The unit was honored in April as Officer of the First Quarter for their work and received Thursday night’s Unit Commendation Award.

In December Buckler also was honored as Officer of the Third Quarter for his work in breaking up a network of violent offenders in St. John, including several who were suspects in homicides, shootings and illegal drug distributions.

Buckler, working with the ATF and the St. John Crisis Unit, executed a search warrant that led to several arrests, including the gang leader and the recovery of an assault rifle and several rounds of ammunition.

“He doesn’t stop, he doesn’t go home,” Tregre said. “He’s one of the quickly rising officers. He also runs 50K races — not 5K, 50K. That’s 31 or 32 miles. I’m trying to get as skinny as him.”

Buckler, who proudly hoisted his new designated parking sign, thanked his wife and the community.

“It’s a huge honor,” he said. “I’m very humbled. I never expected this in a million years. I’m so thankful to be a part of this organization.

“We are really blessed in this community to have such an outstanding sheriff’s office and to be able to respond to calls for service so rapidly. It’s something that’s just not available in the other parishes.”

Buckler was chosen by a citizen’s panel assembled by Tregre, which had to choose from several nominees, including the officers of the quarter. Pannu sponsored the award.

While the department honored its victories, it also mourned its losses.

St. John District Fire Chief Spencer Chauvin, who was killed in August while working a car crash on Interstate 10, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Chauvin also was a reserve deputy in the Sheriff’s Office.

His wife, parents, children and other family members accepted the award.

Deputy Anthony Preyan, who made 24 DWI arrests in 2016, received the DWI-Citizen Safety Award.

Cpl. Anthony Grandolfo and Deputy Nico Paretti received Life Saving Awards. The Civilian Award went to Ponchatoula resident Josh Burns, who jumped from the elevated Interstate 55 to rescue a truck driver, his wife and son, whose rig had gone over the side of the roadway.

Sgt. Travis Joseph was presented the Distinguished Service Award, for his work in “Operation Throw Me Something Mister,” a seven-month undercover drug operation that led to the arrest and conviction of more than 40 offenders.

The Sheriff’s Star Award was presented to Sgt. Kaiana Knight, the medical supervisor in corrections.

Tregre, who will celebrate his 29th year as a member of the St. John Sheriff’s Office, said nights like Thursday serve as reinforcement to everyone.

“I wish I had it when I was back on patrol many years ago,” he said. “With everything happening in the country, these guys need a pick-me-up. They need motivation, and my job is to continue to give them motivation. I’m trying to maintain what I have. This is a job few people want to do, but it’s also a job few people can do.

“I’m feeling pretty good tonight and I think everybody’s a little pumped up.”