SLS 24RS-4191 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 141
BY SENATOR WOMACK
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Concordia Parish Chief Deputy Fred Middleton on being
named Deputy of the Year by the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend Concordia Parish Chief Deputy Fred Middleton on being named Deputy of the
3 Year by the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.
4 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, under the leadership of President
5 Sheriff Doug Hebert, and the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association Awards Committee, has chosen
6 Chief Deputy Fred Middleton of the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office to receive the
7 esteemed Deputy of the Year Award; and
8 WHEREAS, the Deputy of the Year Award is designed to recognize a deputy sheriff
9 who has demonstrated exceptional initiative and creativity in the execution of their duties
10 and who has endeavored to enhance the quality of life in their community; and
11 WHEREAS, since taking the oath of office as Chief Deputy of the Concordia Parish
12 Sheriff's Office in 2020, Fred Middleton has exemplified these qualities by implementing
13 numerous programs aimed at supporting survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault,
14 domestic violence, and child solicitation; and
15 WHEREAS, with the approval and support of Sheriff David Hedrick, Chief Deputy
16 Middleton established a state-of-the-art Cyber Crime Unit (CCU) to enhance the
17 investigative capabilities of the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office against predators
18 exploiting juveniles via the internet and online communications; and
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1 WHEREAS, recognizing the significant financial investment required to develop the
2 CCU, Chief Deputy Middleton partnered with the global nonprofit organization "Operation
3 Underground Railroad", which assists law enforcement in combating child trafficking and
4 exploitation; and
5 WHEREAS, the CCU has been instrumental in extracting critical evidence from
6 various electronic devices using specialized, industry-recognized software, thus enabling
7 detectives to expedite the analysis of computers, hard drives, thumb drives, cell phones, and
8 other media storage devices, leading to the timely and accurate apprehension of criminals
9 in Concordia Parish; and
10 WHEREAS, by 2022, the CCU had successfully resolved 400 cases within
11 Concordia Parish and numerous others across the state, garnering the attention and
12 recognition of the Community Foundation of Acadiana, which awarded the Concordia Parish
13 Sheriff's Office the "Leaders in Law Enforcement Award", accompanied by a $35,000 gift
14 from the Brown Foundation to further support the CCU's operations; and
15 WHEREAS, Chief Deputy Middleton was pivotal in the establishment of the "Victim
16 Advocate" position within the sheriff's office which serves as a liaison between the CCU and
17 crime victims, and the creation of the "Community Justice Center" in 2022, which includes
18 "Hope's Space", a soft interview room designed to provide a safe and comfortable
19 environment for victims to share their stories and make decisions about their cases; and
20 WHEREAS, Chief Deputy Middleton's unwavering dedication to improving the
21 quality of life in his community and his relentless efforts to enhance the CCU were further
22 demonstrated by securing a $70,000 Sub Grant from the Louisiana Commission on Law
23 Enforcement for an online victim recovery program; and
24 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association is proud to honor Chief Deputy Fred
25 Middleton as this year's Deputy of the Year in recognition of his outstanding service,
26 leadership, and commitment to the safety and well-being of his community.
27 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
28 does hereby commend Concordia Parish Chief Deputy Fred Middleton on being named
29 Deputy of the Year by the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.
30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Chief
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SLS 24RS-4191 ORIGINAL
1 Deputy Fred Middleton.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Kathy Liberty.
DIGEST
SR 141 Original 2024 Regular Session Womack
Commends Concordia Parish Chief Deputy Fred Middleton on being named Deputy of the
Year by the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.
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