St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office

06/13/2026

STATEWIDE NEWS RELEASE
June 12, 2026

Silver Alert: Assistance Needed Locating New Orleans Woman

Orleans Parish – The Louisiana State Police has issued a Silver Alert on behalf of the New Orleans Police Department for 82-year-old Rose Marie Melendez. She was last seen at 1139 Napoleon Street in New Orleans, at approximately 2:30 p.m. The Louisiana State Police received the request to issue a Silver Alert at approximately 7:19 p.m.

Melendez is a black female with brown eyes and salt and pepper hair. She is 5’5” and weighs approximately 129 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pink jacket, a multi-colored shirt, black pants, Halloween socks, and black shoes. Family reports Melendez has a medical condition that may impair her judgment.

Melendez is believed to be on foot.

Anyone with information regarding Melendez’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the New Orleans Police Department at (504) 658-6060 or dial 911.

All questions should be directed to the New Orleans Police Department.

Contact Information:
Sgt. Ross Brennan
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
[email protected]

06/12/2026

🚔⭐🎓
SBSO Capt. Morgan latest to complete Leadership St. Bernard

Capt. Leander Morgan IV of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Bureau Patrol Division is the latest SBSO member to complete Leadership St. Bernard, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Leadership St. Bernard, now in its 13th year, is a program of the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce designed to educate and engage citizens by identifying needs, resources and opportunities within St. Bernard Parish while increasing awareness and developing future community leaders.

Throughout the year, participants explore a wide range of topics, including regional perspectives, quality of life issues, culture and tourism, diversity, education, industry, economic and community development, and governmental affairs.

“Leadership St. Bernard provides participants with valuable insight into the people, organizations and issues that shape our parish,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Capt. Morgan said he was honored to complete Leadership St. Bernard Class 13 and was grateful for the opportunity to represent the Sheriff’s Office through the program.

“The program allowed me to build relationships with leaders from diverse backgrounds while reinforcing the values that guide our Field Operations Bureau every day: integrity, accountability, professionalism, leadership and teamwork,” Capt. Morgan said. “I look forward to applying what I learned to better serve our agency and the citizens of St. Bernard Parish.”

Capt. Morgan joins several other St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office personnel who have completed the program over the years, including Col. Chad Clark, commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau; Col. Daniel Bostic Jr., commander of the Special Investigations Division; Maj. Dennis Morgan, director of the St. Bernard Parish Prison Juvenile Detention Center; Lt. Eric Eilers of Community Relations; Chaplain Dep. Aaron Johnson; and Public Information Officer Kim Gritter.

06/10/2026

🚔⭐️🏈⚜️
SBSO ASSISTED SAINTS PLAYERS ON TRIP TO HOPEDALE

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, under the supervision of Marine Division Capt. Brian Clark, recently assisted with security in Hopedale during a team-building event for New Orleans Saints players and coaches.

The event, hosted by Premier Bowfishing Charters, included a chartered airboat experience showcasing the unique beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities available in St. Bernard Parish.

SBSO’s deputies helped ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved.

06/08/2026

🚔⭐🎓
SBSO WRAPS UP 2026 JUNIOR DEPUTY PROGRAM

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office wrapped up its 2026 Junior Deputy Academy summer program with a graduation ceremony held Friday, June 5, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

This year’s graduates are Kate Adams, Vanessa Dusang, Nathan Fernandez, Gregory Fernandez, Emerson Fleetwood, Jonathon Garcia, Jayden Grice, Israel Herkes, Princeton Herkes, August Hill, Cohen Hummel, Kathryn Koepp, August Landry, Avery Lentz, Jeremiah Nea, Thomas Ponthieux, Badger Riviere, Julian Sansone, Heaven Sitzen and Zachary Wilson.

Each graduate received a certificate of completion, a Junior Deputy badge, and T-shirt.

Princeton Herkes received a trophy for being named Top Shooter on range day, and Julian Sansone received a second-place shooting certificate.

During the ceremony, graduates and their families heard from Col. Chad Clark, commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, Capt. Stephen Ingargiola, director of training, and program coordinator Chaplain Dep. Aaron Johnson. All three congratulated the Junior Deputy graduates on their accomplishment and thanked them for their interest in law enforcement and their community. They also reminded them about making good choices, always doing the right thing and following the rules, even when it’s difficult.

Several former Junior Deputies returned to participate in this year’s ceremony, including Dep. Bronson Navarro, who now works in the Corrections Division at the St. Bernard Parish Correctional Facility, as well as Troy Sino, a 2017 graduate, and Josiah Garcia, a 2023 graduate.

Formed in 2015, the Junior Deputy Academy is open to St. Bernard Parish children ages 10 to 12 and is held every June. The annual program, led by Lt. Eric Eilers and Chaplain Dep. Johnson, is designed to create community pride and self-esteem, while teaching youngsters about the various aspects of law enforcement.

This year’s program, held June 1-5, included visits from deputies across various divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, including Patrol, Narcotics, Marine, the 9-1-1 Center, Criminal Investigations and Corrections. Activities included a tour of the parish jail, demonstrations of departmental equipment, a visit from the K-9 Unit and firearm safety instruction at SBSO’s shooting range. Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and the St. Bernard Fire Department also participated.

On behalf of Sheriff Pohlmann, Lt. Eilers and Chaplain Dep. Johnson would like to thank the following individuals who helped make this year’s Junior Deputy Program a success: Bill and Chris Haines and the Meraux Foundation, Hilton and Pat Preau, Norman Landry, the Vietnam Veterans of America St. Bernard Chapter 550, the Chalmette Home Depot, Domino’s Pizza, Brewster’s Restaurant, Awards Unlimited, Clements Insurance Services, Clements Physical Therapy, the St. Bernard Fire Department, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, Louisiana State Police, and nearly 30 members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office who participated.

06/06/2026

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After more than 20 years, Hurricane Katrina victim Dorothy Taquino is finally home in Chalmette.

Chief Investigator with the St. Bernard Parish Coroner’s Office and retired St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Detective Lt. Raymond Theriot was proud to be part of the effort to bring Ms. Dorothy home. His dedication and commitment to serving our community helped provide answers and, ultimately, bring closure to those who loved her.

A single dried rose was resting on Dorothy's casket when investigators exhumed her remains from the Canal Street memorial. The Hurricane Katrina victim spent two decades buried in the wrong parish, far from the St. Bernard cemetery she chose: https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/katrina/after-20-years-without-a-name-hurricane-katrina-victim-dorothy-taquino-is-finally-home/289-564f77d6-0896-421a-800b-a98ab366be2e?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WWLTV

06/03/2026

🚔🏠✈🔐
SBSO WILL CONDUCT EXTRA VACATION PATROLS

St. Bernard Parish residents planning to be away from home for an extended period - whether for vacation, work or other travel - can request extra patrols from the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to help keep an eye on their property while they’re away, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“Before heading out of town, we encourage residents to take advantage of this free service for added peace of mind,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Our deputies will make extra checks in the area while you’re gone.”

☎️Residents can request extra patrols by calling the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

All information provided is kept confidential and shared only with deputies assigned to patrol the neighborhood where the resident lives.

Sheriff Pohlmann also encourages residents to leave a reliable contact number so deputies can quickly reach them if an issue arises while they are away, including suspicious activity or weather-related damage.

“This program has helped residents feel more secure for many years by knowing deputies are keeping an eye on their homes while they’re out of town,” the Sheriff said.

To help residents safeguard their homes during vacations or extended trips, the Sheriff’s Office also offers the following safety tips:

⭐Lock all doors and windows before leaving. In the rush of travel preparations, it’s easy to overlook something simple.

⭐Be mindful about sharing travel plans. Avoid posting details about your trip on social media until after you return home.

⭐Make your home appear occupied. Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on the property, park a vehicle in the driveway or collect mail and packages.

⭐Use timers and outdoor lighting. Timers for lights, televisions or radios can make the home appear occupied, while motion-activated lighting can help deter suspicious activity.

⭐Suspend deliveries if possible. Newspapers and packages left outside for several days can signal no one is home.

⭐Avoid hiding spare keys outside. Common hiding spots such as under mats, flowerpots or rocks are often the first places burglars check.

⭐Keep shrubs and landscaping trimmed around doors and windows to eliminate potential hiding spots.

⭐Set and test your alarm system before leaving and make sure emergency contact information is updated with your monitoring company.

⭐Notify your Neighborhood Watch group, if applicable, so neighbors can remain alert while you are away.

👀Residents interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group in their area can contact Lt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7628 for more information.

06/03/2026

🚨🚔⚠️
SBSO WARNS RESIDENTS ABOUT INCREASE IN FRAUD CASES AND SCAMS

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain alert for a variety of scams that our detectives continue to investigate involving identity theft, fake prizes, cryptocurrency schemes, fraudulent apartment rentals and impersonation scams, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Recent reports have involved scammers posing as bank representatives, security officials, business owners, landlords and prize representatives in order to trick victims into sending money or providing sensitive personal and banking information.

In several cases, victims were convinced to send money through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency kiosks, mobile payment apps and online payment platforms. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau have also investigated reports involving stolen identities being used to fraudulently obtain loans and credit accounts.

Sheriff Pohlmann urges residents to be cautious anytime someone requests money, banking information or personal identifying information over the phone, online or through social media. He said residents should slow down, verify who they are dealing with and never send money or personal information to someone they do not personally know and trust.

“Scammers are becoming more convincing and sophisticated every day,” the Sheriff said. “They often create a sense of urgency or excitement to pressure victims into acting quickly before they have time to think things through.”

The Sheriff offers the following tips to help residents avoid becoming victims of fraud:

⚠️Never send money, gift card numbers or cryptocurrency to someone you do not know personally.
⚠️Be cautious of anyone claiming you won a prize or sweepstakes, but requiring payment upfront for taxes, shipping or processing fees.
⚠️Do not provide personal, banking or credit information to unsolicited callers, emails or text messages.
⚠️Be wary of anyone claiming to represent a bank, technology company or government agency demanding immediate action.
⚠️Never allow unknown individuals remote access to your phone or computer.
⚠️Research rental properties independently and avoid sending deposits before verifying listings in person whenever possible.
⚠️Watch for red flags such as requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency machines, wire transfers or payment apps.
⚠️Review your bank statements and credit reports regularly for suspicious activity.
⚠️Talk with elderly family members about common scams, as scammers often target senior citizens.

Residents who believe they may have been targeted by a scam are encouraged to contact their financial institution immediately and report the incident by contacting the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

06/03/2026

🚔💻📝
SBSO TAX LIEN AUCTION

The St. Bernard Parish Tax Lien Auction for 2026 is now held exclusively online at https://www.zeusauction.com/.

This year, the Tax Sale will be on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To participate in the tax lien auction, all bidders must register online. Registration is NOW open. It is a two-step process.

Registration closes on June 11, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. You must be registered prior to the close of registration to participate in this years Tax Lien Auction.

For assistance with registering for our tax sale, please do so at the above website or call 1-800-800-9588.

A comprehensive list of FAQs can be found on the auction website by clicking on "FAQs" on the left side of the page in the dashboard.

06/01/2026

🚔⭐️
SBSO KICKS OFF JUNIOR DEPUTY PROGRAM

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office officially kicked off its Junior Deputy Program today, welcoming participants for a week of learning, hands-on activities and fun alongside deputies and staff.

Sheriff James Pohlmann and Deputy Chief John Doran welcomed the children as the program got underway. Also pictured are Lt. Eric Eilers and Chaplain Dep. Aaron Johnson, who are leading the program.

Throughout the week, participants will get an inside look at various divisions within the Sheriff’s Office while taking part in demonstrations, safety presentations and interactive activities designed to teach teamwork, leadership and public safety awareness.

06/01/2026

🚔🌀
SBSO PREPARES FOR 2026 HURRICANE SEASON

As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins this week, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann is encouraging residents to prepare now in the event a storm threatens the area.

“Hurricane season is something we take seriously in St. Bernard Parish because we know conditions can change quickly,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “The best thing residents can do is make a plan early and stay informed throughout the season.”

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office trains year-round for emergencies, including flooding, rescues and evacuations. Deputies with the S.W.A.T. and Marine divisions regularly conduct boat training exercises, and the agency maintains specialized equipment, including a high-water rescue vehicle, to assist residents during severe weather events.

“Our deputies train throughout the year so we’re ready to respond whenever severe weather threatens our community,” the Sheriff said. “If an evacuation becomes necessary, we’ll work to help residents get out safely while continuing to protect homes and businesses throughout the parish while they are gone.”

Residents are encouraged to review their evacuation plans and begin preparing early for hurricane season, including making arrangements for vulnerable family members and pets and gradually gathering emergency supplies ahead of time.

“Preparing early helps families avoid unnecessary stress and gives them more time to make thoughtful plans if a storm threatens our area,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Now is a good time to review your plans, check your supplies and make sure your household is ready for the season ahead.”

“Waiting until the last minute only creates more stress and crowded stores,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Take time now to gather supplies, review your plans and make sure your family is ready if a storm heads our way.”

Residents are encouraged to prepare a basic emergency supply kit ahead of hurricane season, including enough water and non-perishable food for several days, medications, cash, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, important documents stored in a waterproof container, and essential items for children, infants and pets. Other items to consider include phone chargers, blankets, toiletries, and a battery-powered radio.

“Before evacuating, take photos of your home and valuables for insurance purposes and make sure important documents are stored safely,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “We always hope storms stay away, but it’s important to be prepared just in case.”

Residents needing evacuation assistance or special needs transportation should register with St. Bernard Parish Government’s Homeland Security office by calling (504) 278-4268 or visiting sbpg.net.