Deputy Ryan Adams was named 2024 Officer of the Year by the St. John Sheriff’s Office during the 11th annual Officer of the Year Awards Ceremony on Jan. 15, 2025 at the Lloyd B. Johnson Law Enforcement Training Center in LaPlace.
The recognition ceremony, started by Sheriff Mike Tregre in 2013, honors the Officer of the Year as well as pays tribute to other outstanding officers. These officers are recognized for their dedication to public service, outstanding commitment to the community, excellent police work, and the commendable manner in which they perform their jobs.
Sheriff Tregre works with several local businesses that provide sponsorships and contributions to recognize these outstanding officers. Brandon Mabile, of Mabile’s Restaurant, was the 2024 sponsor of the Officer of the Year ceremony.
More than 150 officers and their relatives, community members and business partners attended the program. Retired St. James Parish Sheriff Willy Martin was the keynote speaker.
Deputy Adam, who works in the Patrol Division, was selected for his courage and determination to force a badly damaged car door open while the vehicle was on fire, and pull a trapped motorist to safety.
On May 18, 2024 around 2:15 a.m. Deputy Adams was dispatched to an accident involving a vehicle hitting a light pole and was off the roadway. When Deputy Adams arrived on scene, he quickly realized the vehicle was on fire and still occupied. Deputy Adams attempted to open the vehicle door but realized that the door was stuck closed, due to the impact of the crash.
The assisting deputy arrived on scene and she and Deputy Adams grabbed their departmental issued fire extinguishers to dilute the flames. This gave Deputy Adams enough time to force the driver’s side door open and pull the driver out of the vehicle to safety. Seconds later the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.
The driver had moderate injuries due to the impact of the crash and was taken by Ambulance to University Hospital. If it were not for Deputy Adams’ courage and determination to force the badly damaged car door open while the vehicle was on fire, the driver would not have survived.
Other special awards were presented to several officers:
Captain Greg Baker was honored with the Sheriff’s Star for exceptional teamwork, perseverance, dedication, professionalism, and service to the community and the SJSO.
Lifesaving Award: Deputy Ryan Adams and Corporal Tynisha Crushfield for their response to a vehicle accident on May 18, 2024.
Lieutenant Carolina Pineda, Sergeant Gilberto Castellanos and Deputy Curley Jones, Jr. for their response to a potential jumper on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Oct.9, 2024.
Excellence In Service:
This award is presented to officers, nominated by a commander, who have demonstrated in their day to day duties the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and commitment to the St. John Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Shantell McKnight, Human Resources; Sgt. Tiffany Richard, Crime Scene; Sgt. Valrie Macon-Smith, Corrections; Deputy Kristen Vicknair, Records Division and Corporal Antonio Francalacia, Fleet, Maintenance and Special Projects.
Rising Star:
This award is presented to an employee who demonstrates exceptional leadership potential, excellent performance of their duties, and who has a strong commitment to professional development in their capacity as a Sheriff’s Office employee.
Deputy Jadon Iberico, SWAT and Deputy Tyler Daigle, SWAT.