On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, seven members of PPSO graduated from the Gretna Police Department Regional POST Level 1 Police Academy #44. Sheriff Jerry Turlich along with everyone at PPSO congratulates Deputies; Bret Boudreaux, Kyle Kirkland, Devin Bourgeois, Denita Prout-Williamson, Sarah Pollard, Jack Owens and Keenan Dufauchard!

Additionally, PPSO recruits earned and won every award during the course of Gretna Class #44:
Valedictorian - Denita Prout-Williamson
Top Shooter - Kyle Kirkland
Physical Agility - Jack Owens
Congeniality - Keenan Dufauchard

Also, PPSO Deputy Jeff Cochran was in attendance and received the Top Firearms Award after earning the honor in Gretna Police Academy Class #43. Deputy Cochran graduated on March 24, 2020, but the ceremony was cancelled due to COVID-19.

"I'm extremely proud of all these graduates and honored to say this is perhaps the first time PPSO recruits swept all the awards during an academy that consisted of multiple agencies," said Sheriff Turlich. "Join me in congratulating all the graduates as their hard work and dedication transitions to making the citizens of Plaquemines Parish safer."