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ABBEVILLE — There is an understanding among members of the law enforcement family; the next shift may be their last.
Members of the Vermilion Parish law enforcement family and others gathered Friday morning at the Abbeville Police Department for the John “Dooley” Hardy Memorial, remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The memorial is held each December by the Fraternal Order of Police John “Dooley” Hardy Memorial Lodge 48 to honor fallen officers from Vermilion Parish.
“I think memorial services like this are some of the most important things we can do,” Abbeville Chief of Police William Spearman said. “This is not only for the families and the fallen officers, but also for the community, that they never forget what these officers sacrificed so that the community can be safe.”
Officers from Vermilion Parish who gave their lives in the line of duty include John “Dooley” Hardy (Dec. 24, 1992), Todd Touchet (Jan. 8, 2000) of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rodney Trahan (April 6, 1969) of the Kaplan Police Department, Otto Bourque (Oct. 3, 1964) of the Erath Police Department, and Allen Bares Jr. (June 23, 2014) of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry served as the keynote speaker Friday morning.
“Today, we honor and recognize those who have fallen amongst us,” Landry said. “That is the ultimate sacrifice that Dooley, Todd, Rodney, Otto and Allen made. While we still mourn their losses, we should be comforted that they did the Lord’s work. The Gospel of Matthew declares: blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
Peace can be a fragile thing when a member of law enforcement goes out on a call, Landry said.
“It’s important to recognize that there is an absolute thin blue line,” Landry said, “between those who stand to protect, and those who want to harm. Each and every day, law enforcement officers from federal to state to the local level, kiss their family members before they go out. They put on their uniforms and go about the business of ensuring public safety.
“The people we honor here today did exactly that. We honor and recognize the sacrifice they were willing to make.”
Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Capt. Drew David, who read the End of Watch for each of the five fallen officers, said they remain an inspiration for each of their loved ones.
“We love them, and we miss them,” David said. “In our faith, we know that they still protect us. Our challenge is to live each day of our lives, wanting to see them again. They are in their heavenly rest. They are watching over us. It is up to us to live every day to see them again in that eternal glory.”

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette awarded 1,358 degrees during its Fall 2019 Commencement on Friday.
Bachelor’s degrees were presented to 1,077 graduates. Master’s degrees were awarded to 255 graduates, the largest number in UL Lafayette history. Twenty-four graduates received doctoral degrees. One graduate certificate and one post-baccalaureate certificate were bestowed.
The 805 degrees conferred on women are the second-most ever. Fall 2019 graduates represented 50 Louisiana parishes, 30 states and 30 countries. The youngest graduate was 20; the oldest was 61.
At the General Assembly, Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, told graduates that higher education is a “self-perpetuating, intergenerational enterprise. Your college degree increases the likelihood that your children will pursue one as well.”
That’s significant, he added, because “communities where a high percentage of residents have college degrees have vibrant public education systems, better infrastructure, more opportunities for social mobility, and stronger overall economies.”
University alum and Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot was the Commencement speaker. Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. It is nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization and second-largest U.S. charity.
Babineaux-Fontenot told graduates they are among “the largest, most diverse, most educated generation the world has ever known. We need you to use your heads, your hands, your hearts, your feet and your voices to make this world – our world – better.”
Victoria Furka was named UL Lafayette’s Outstanding Graduate. A biology major who minored in chemistry, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Tina Billberry was recognized with the Outstanding Master’s Graduate Award. She received a master’s degree in nursing, with a family nurse practitioner focus, from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
Eleven undergraduates were recognized as summa cum laude graduates for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
Katelyn Grace Clay, who majored in marketing, received a bachelor’s degree from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
Joni Beatrice-Louise Watson, who majored in hospitality management, received a bachelor’s degree from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
Emily Claire Delcambre, who majored in elementary education, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
Bryce James Hargis, who majored in kinesiology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
Mohammed Hamood Khalfan Al Jahmani, who majored in petroleum engineering, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.
Abigail Renee Guidry, who majored in English, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
Lindsey Louise Held, who majored in psychology, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
Mary Jean Rosato, who majored in strategic communication, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts.
Kristen Marie Meche, who majored in nursing, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
Victoria Marie Furka, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
Kaleb Jude Robin, who majored in biology, received a bachelor’s degree from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.

James D. “Sarge” Harrington, a native of Abbeville, LA and resident of Gonzales, LA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at the age of 79.
James was a loving, dedicated, and selfless husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He enjoyed being outside in his garden tending his peppers, hunting, joking and spending time with his family, friends, and neighbors. He was a jack of all trades and master of all of them, too. He proudly served in the Armed Forces. James is survived by his daughters, Faith Ann Martin (Todd), Charmin Martin (Gregg), Deanna Corley (Joseph), Rodesa Harrington, and Sammy Jo Harrington Brunner (Mike); sons, Ricky Lee Harrington, Barry Harrington (Cindy) and John Mitchell; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews; sister, Florence White (Walter); brother, Floyd Harrington (Beverly). He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley Jean Jordan Mitchell Harrington; parents, Savy and Elise Harrington; children, Cindy Harrington and James “Jimmy” Dale Harrington Jr.; grandchildren, Adam Mitchell, Josh Mitchell, Todd Martin Jr., Joseph Brown. Marcus Martin, Gregg Martin Jr., Jacob Brunner, Kaleb Harrington, Devin Harrington, and Jeffrey Harrington will serve as pallbearers. Michael Martin will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family would like to give a special thanks to Wanda “Boo” Daigle for being his rock, Dr. Richard Caro, Dr. Halina Polek-Nowakowska, the staff at Carpenter House and Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, and Fr. Denis for their compassion and care.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 23, 2019 at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church from 9:00 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am celebrated by Fr. Eric Gyan. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville, LA. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com . Ourso Funeral Home of Gonzales is in charge of arrangements.

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Jacqueline Ann Howell, 55, will be at 1:30PM Saturday December 21, 2019 at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Interment will follow in St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will in David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Saturday, December 21, 2019 from 8:00AM until service time with recitation of the rosary at 11:00AM.
Jacqueline, a native and lifelong resident of Abbeville, passed away Thursday December 12, 2019 in her residence. She was a faithful member of St. Theresa Catholic Church and she enjoyed her time with the Cursillo, Come Lord Jesus and the Rachel’s Vinyard Organization.
She is survived by a son Christofer Howell and wife Lauren, her sisters Debbie Garrot and husband Louis, Diana Ledet and husband Carl, Michelle Andrus and husband Phillip, and a granddaughter Piper Christine Howell and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Wiley and Christine Schroder Howell.
Serving as her Pallbearers will be Wiley Ledet, Lance Lege, Bryce Scalisi, Baron Andrus, Brodie Broussard, and Bennett LeMaire
Serving as her Honorary Pallbearers will be Alex Mahfouz and Carlyn Ledet
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville is in charge of arrangements. 2600 Charity Street Abbeville, LA 70510 (337) 893-3777.