Crime Stoppers segment focuses on burglary in Eunice

St. Landry Crime Stoppers spokesman Maj. Eddie Thibodeaux of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking tips to solve the July robbery of a local veteran’s home.
“St. Landry Crime Stoppers and Sgt. Mitchell Hoke of the Eunice Police Department need your help in locating thieves that preyed upon a 97-year-old World War II veteran,” Thibodeaux said.
“Harold Gournay, at the young age of 19, answered the call from our country. He is a true American war hero. Not only did he serve his country, but he was shot down, captured and held a prisoner of war. Mr. Gournay was later released from a prison camp and returned after serving his country with honor and pride.”
Thibodeaux, Hoke, Nick Authement with KATC and St. Landry Crime Stoppers assistant Samantha Fontenot recorded parts for the segment at VFW Post 8971, Gournay’s Eunice home and the veterans memorial on Park Avenue.
“On July 23, while Gournay was out of town on a fishing trip, thieves stole 30 silver coins, firearms, two televisions and a knife that was taken off a German soldier,” Hoke said. “We have no descriptions of the thieves in this case, only a hand-drawn likeness of the knife.”
A list of the weapons and serial numbers along with the drawing of the knife are on the St. Landry Crime Stoppers Facebook page.
Thibodeaux accepted the position of sheriff’s office spokesperson and St. Landry Crime Stoppers spokesman on March 10 following the Feb. 29 resignation of Clay Higgins as the department’s spokesperson.
Thibodeaux has worked for the sheriff’s office in several capacities including a narcotics agent, K-9 handler and department trainer, a full-time position he continues to work. He also serves as a statewide police instructor, often leading other officers at the St. Martin Training Police Academy.
In the 1990s, Thibodeaux attended public information officer school and hosted a “Sheriff’s Update” on a local radio station.
“It was there (PIO school) I was introduced to the importance of media and law enforcement working together,” Thibodeaux said. “The class gave me a better understanding of what you need from us. More so, that we both have jobs to do which is to inform people.”
This week’s Crime Stoppers segment is the second Thibodeaux has done since taking the position of department spokesperson.
“It’s moving fast,” he said. “We’re changing a bunch of things. Our St. Landry Crime Stoppers Facebook page has moved from just posting arrest reports to putting up wanted people and to the crimes of the week like stolen stuff — just putting the news out there where people can look back and say, ‘I’ve seen that before.’”
“We’ve got some crimes we want to put out from all the parish, all the cities, not just the sheriff. There’s crime in Eunice, there’s crime in Grand Coteau, there’s crime in Sunset.”
One of the first tips off the new Crime Stoppers Facebook page was an attempt to identify a person at the Cash Magic location in Eunice.
“In five minutes, we had somebody call and say, ‘I know who that is,’” Thibodeaux said. “We know it’s working. The problem is to get a bunch of our parish people to look at Crime Stoppers, not just the people from Lafayette and around the country.”
Thibodeaux said he enjoys mingling with people in his new position, trying to solve the crime and sending the message of Crime Stoppers.
“Report the crime and you can get money,” he said. “Find lost property. Find lost loved ones. Find who broke into a house and try to solve the crimes.
 “My slogan as the Crime Stoppers spokesman is be alert, be safe. You know you have to be vigilant outside. Look at your crime (in your city). Look at your neighbors. Report the littlest thing. It could be the break that these guys are looking for.”
Through Crime Stoppers, Thibodeaux said he hopes to help those in law enforcement.
“These are the real crime stoppers, the men and women who work at night, on holidays and anniversaries and for their son’s football game and their daughter’s recital. These are the guys that are out there. This is why were are putting this information our there.”
Thibodeaux is the owner and instructor of the Eunice Black Belt Academy, and he is also a concealed weapon instructor.