LAPLACE — Captain Gene Weinert Jr. of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office was named Officer of the Month by the St. John Business Association at the group’s April meeting at Petra’s Restaurant in LaPlace.

As commander of Fleet Management and Special Projects, Weinert is in charge of fleet operations and capital improvement for the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office. Weinert was honored for his professional knowledge as well as his devotion to duty above and beyond the call.

Weinert leads the design, construction or purchase of items for capital improvement projects.

He also is in charge of facilities management and maintenance issues, such as carpeting, painting, electrical and plumbing, HVAC needs, renovations or expansions.

Renovating Patrol Headquarters has been among his major projects. Currently, Weinert is directing the renovation of the Percy Hebert Building, which houses the civil, human resources, records and administration departments and will soon include the Criminal Investigations Division.

Overseeing fleet operations, Weinert is responsible for the acquisition, accountability, maintenance, repair and proper disposal of a fleet of more than 300 vehicles and other miscellaneous types of fleet equipment.

He also directs the inmate work crew and staff members in performing routine service and maintenance for the patrol units and other equipment on a monthly basis, maintaining a fueling station and providing assistance for special projects throughout the St. John Sheriff’s Office.