2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 26
BY SENATORS CORTEZ AND BOUDREAUX
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Major Luraine Richard of the Lafayette Police Department upon her
retirement, and to congratulate her for a distinguished public service career of
thirty-six years in law enforcement.
WHEREAS, after witnessing crime firsthand while growing up in a rough
neighborhood in Opelousas, Louisiana, Luraine Richard became an officer at age
twenty-three with a two-year-old daughter at home and with a mission to effect a positive
change in the community; and
WHEREAS, she served thirty-six years as a uniformed police officer with the
Lafayette Police Department, becoming the first woman to move up through the ranks from
patrol officer to major; and
WHEREAS, Luraine Richard graduated from the police academy and joined the
Lafayette Police Department on January 9, 1985, which she cites as two of the most
memorable moments in her career; and
WHEREAS, when she joined the department, she was only one of two women on the
force and had to prove herself; and
WHEREAS, she served as a patrol officer, a training officer, and an investigator
before becoming a sergeant in the juvenile section; she later advanced to the rank of
lieutenant, eventually becoming an administrative lieutenant in 2008 for Precinct 1, a
crime-prone area of downtown and north Lafayette, staying there through her promotion to
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captain; and
WHEREAS, she worked as an investigator in youth services, dealing with juvenile
cases, an adjustment that she loved as it provided a chance to reach kids which then reached
the parents; and
WHEREAS, not only was Luraine Richard the longest-employed female officer in
the department, she was the first to earn a supervisory role, trailblazing her way through
promotions to sergeant, lieutenant, and captain; she was the first commander of an entire
precinct, and the first woman to achieve the rank of major, making her one of three officers
holding the most senior rank below chief; and
WHEREAS, Major Richard earned a reputation for being fair but firm with a strong
work ethic and a professional demeanor, encouraging new officers coming into the
department to find balance in their work, not taking it home with them, and treating people
with respect; and
WHEREAS, Major Richard has been recognized for bringing a sense of calm, cool,
collected, objective, rational thinking, reasonableness, and leadership to the department and
the Lafayette community; and
WHEREAS, in retirement, she plans to spend more time with her three daughters,
son, and three grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that a heartfelt measure of the highest commendation
be extended to Luraine Richard for an outstanding career in the field of law enforcement and
for her incomparable talents she has lent to the city of Lafayette and the state, whose citizens
will long reap the benefits of her knowledge, expertise, compassion, and professional
standard of excellence.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and congratulate Major Luraine Richard of the Lafayette Police Department upon
her retirement after a long and distinguished career of dedicated law enforcement service
spanning thirty-six years, does hereby record for posterity her accomplishments, and express
appreciation for the deep sense of pride and honor she brings to the Lafayette area and the
state, and does hereby extend to her every good wish for success and happiness in all of her
future endeavors.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Major Luraine Richard.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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