Cops

Recently, the Eunice branch of the “National Association of University Women” selected four St. Landry Parish dispatchers as recipients of the annual “Women in History” celebration. The award recognized each woman’s dedication to St. Landry Parish and the Eunice community. The dispatchers honored were Kim. L Guterrez, Lisa Siverand, Christine Johnwell, Ashley Dugas and Mary Johnson. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz stated, “These women have dedicated themselves to their families, the Eunice community, and the St. Landry parish Sheriff’s Office. A dispatcher’s job is very difficult. The challenges they face each day, to remain calm and professional while handling stressful telephone calls and radio traffic for 10 patrol deputies, is not a task for the meek. These are strong, smart women who make a real difference in our parish. As a street cop for many, many years, I can tell you personally that a dispatcher’s voice over a shoulder mike is sometimes the only source of calm in a storm. Our deputies may appear to be alone out there, across a wide parish in the dead of night … but his dispatcher is always there, an angel on his shoulder.” From left are Siverand, Johnwell, Dugas and Johnson. (Submitted Photo)