RESERVE — Derrel Joseph had a memorial T-shirt in his Reserve home for the recently passed Samuel Cooper.

It was an odd clothing choice, according to St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre, who said police arrested Joseph this week for, among other things, heroin dealing. Cooper is believed to have died last month from a heroin overdose.

“We’re still investigating (the Cooper) case,” Tregre said. “We have not gotten the official results of the toxicology test yet.”

Authorities discovered Cooper unresponsive at approximately 6 a.m. April 19 in his Fir Street home. Officers and emergency services attempted to render medical aid but were unsuccessful.

At the time, Tregre said an extremely lethal bit of heroin was the most likely cause of Cooper’s death, as well as that of 41-year-old Brad Evans, who was found dead the same day in another location.

Authorities did not immediately link Joseph’s arrest this week for heroin dealing to last month’s deaths.

Joseph was arrested Tuesday following a narcotics investigation that began April 30.

Police identified Joseph as a convicted felon, adding a narcotics search and seizure warrant for his Star Terrace Drive home led to the recovery of approximately 154 grams of heroin, two grams of marijuana, 9 pills of MDMA, a strip of Suboxone, 37 pills of Tramadol, two digital scales, two boxes of sandwich baggies and a Glock Model 19 9mm handgun.

“Detectives also seized manufacturing material used to mix and distribute heroin,” a Sheriff’s Office release said.

Tregre said no other suspects are being sought in connection to Joseph’s arrest but added the investigation is active.

Tregre said a resisting charge came about after the suspect “physically charged and fought with the officers” after they made entry in the home.

No injuries were reported.

Tregre described the suspect as a “mid level,” “independent” dealer who had been “under surveillance for quite some time.”

“His name surfaced and we’ve been making a number of drug busts,” Tregre said. “There will be more. It appears we’re making tremendous progress with getting tips from the community, and those tips have been very productive lately.”

Joseph was booked with possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of suboxone, possession with intent to distribute tramadol, possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm/carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, illegal carrying of a weapon with a controlled dangerous substance.

Additional charges are resisting an officer and contempt of court.

He is being held in custody in lieu of a $160,839 bond.