Sgt. Angella South stood before Allen Parish Sheriff Doug Hebert III last week to recognize her career in law enforcement and say goodbye to a career that has spanned 24 years at the sheriff’s office and almost three decades in law enforcement.
The sheriff’s office held a retirement for South, who worked under three sheriffs, Hall Turner, Harold Brady and Doug Hebert III.
Hebert said it had been an honor and privilege to work with South. “Thank you,” he said. “I don’t want you to go, but I’ve been blessed to have had you.”
The sheriff noted South set some pretty high goals for others in her job, especially being community involved in the parish. South has been teaching DARE since August 2009, so she is known by many students and parents.
South said her career was a big accomplishment for women. She was the first woman to patrol in the parish and the first to become DARE certified.
A graduate of Jennings High School in 1984, South said she had no idea she would find her career in law enforcement. She completed her studies in private security at Clark College in 1990. In August of 1994, she joined the Allen Correctional Center. She stayed there until January of 1999, when she began working as a patrol officer part-time for the sheriff’s office. By November 1, 2001, she became a full-time officer.
On April 18, 2002, South became post certified. Then she completed DARE training to begin teaching the program in August 2009. She also received her SRO (School Resource Officer) certification in June of 2010, and her advanced certification as an SRO officer in June 2013.
And she continued her training in numerous areas over the years including:
•Dynamics Domestic Violence
•Prevention of Sexual Harassment
•Tactical Police Driving
•Chemical Testing
•Intoxilizer
•Multi-jurisdiction Counterdrug Task Force
•Defensive Tactics
She fondly teased Sheriff Hebert as he brought tears to her eyes at Friday’s retirement party (July 21). She said it was a blessing to have worked with him, and later she referred to him “as a little hard headed.” South grouped him in with the other men she has worked with. “They (men) think they can outdo us at times. They can’t make it without us.”
South’s entire career has been a blessing, allowing her to grow as a person while raising her family. She is married to Fred South Sr. She has three children and eight step children. That keeps her pretty busy.
“It’s all a good blessing,” South said.
She’s not going to sit home everyday. She’s already cross training with dispatchers at the sheriff’s office to fill in when needed. She said she is not working everyday, but this people-person will help out at the sheriff’s office when necessary. Her heart is full, and she is going to enjoy her retirement – “enjoy life and continue to treat people right.” That’s probably her trademark with all the lives she has touched over the years.
