04/28/2026
We are incredibly proud to share the news of our OPCD Squad A-Nights team being honored as the statewide Team of the Year by Louisiana Chapters of APCO and NENA!
During the Bourbon Street terrorist attack, Squad A–Nights demonstrated exceptional professionalism, coordination, & attention to detail while managing a complex and rapidly-evolving mass-casualty incident. Their response was nothing short of extraordinary, working together seamlessly to handle a high volume of 9-1-1 calls and radio traffic, rapidly creating and updating multiple CAD incidents, and coordinating the deployment of police, fire, EMS and mutual aid resources.
This close-knit team of call-takers, dispatchers, supervisors, and managers put aside the emotions of the moment and immediately delivered critical support for responders and incident commanders, ensured public safety and medical care, and maintained effective operations throughout. Their professionalism during such an unthinkable, fast-moving tragedy reflected their year-round commitment to training, improvement, and excellence.
Our deepest thanks to OPCD Squad A-Nights and all our “Heroes Under the Headsets” for upholding the highest standards of our profession during this historic and unthinkable attack on our city.
OPCD Squad A-Nights team members recognized as Louisiana Team of the Year:
Police Dispatchers: Dominic Falcon, Simona Moore (Supervisor Now), Kachetta Thompson, Deangela Walker, and Kyara Naquin.
EMS Dispatchers: Kiara Smith and Patricia Simmons.
Fire Dispatchers: K'lynn Maxmillion and Shatasha Noel.
Emergency Communications Specialists: Tondra Brown, Keithera Graps, Donyelle Hankton,
Alexis Harris, Korie Maxmillion, Nigel Tapp, Brittany Smith.
Supervisors and Managers: Operations Manager Neliska Hewitt, Asst. Operations Manager Michael Triplett, Operations Supervisor David Adams, and Operations Supervisor DaRhonda Griffith.
