Fallen Former OPD Officer Remembered For Dedication, Bravery
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A veteran police officer who began his career with the Opelousas Police Department, was remembered for his dedicated service and professionalism after he was killed in the line of duty Thursday during a hostage negotiation in Jeanerette.
Senior Cpl, Segus Jolivette, 35, who has worked with the Lafayette Police Department since 2013 as a SWAT team member, initially worked as a member of the OPD Junior Police Academy, according to Opelousas Police Chief Graig LeBlanc.
Jolivette was acting as a hostage negotiator on Thursday along with other officers from multiple law enforcement agencies during a standoff at a mobile home located on Martin Luther King Drive in Jeanerette, according to a story published Friday by the Associated Press.
Several hostages that were being held inside the residence were eventually liberated by Jolivette and law enforcement agencies and brought to safety.
Following the seven-hour standoff, alleged suspect Nyjal Hurst was arrested in connection with the homicide of Jolivette and the wounding of three other officers, several news stories have indicated.
Hurst is now incarcerated in the Iberia Parish Jail on a $500,000 bond, according to several released published stories following the Thursday incident.
LeBlanc said on Thursday afternoon that he and several OPD officers escorted the body of Jolivette back from Lafayette to Melancon Funeral Home in Opelousas.
Melancon Funeral Home, LeBlanc said, will be in charge of the funeral arrangements for Jolivette, who was married with five children.
LeBlanc remembered that Jolivette displayed an “early passion” for law enforcement. Jolivette joined OPD as a patrolman in about 2009, but Jolivette later moved forward with his career and joined LPD, said LeBlanc.
“At the time he left, (Jolivette) said that he wanted to make a greater impact,” LeBlanc added.
“(Jolivette) had an unwavering dedication. He served with professionalism. (Jolivette) will always be remembered for his bravery and kindness,” LeBlanc added.
While employed with LPD, Jolivette also worked with Lafayette youths as a school resource officers and with the LPD Explorer Program.
“Today (Thursday) we lost one of our best in the line of duty. (Jolivette) was a wonderful human being and exceptional in every way. He was courageous in every action that he undertook,” Lafayette Mayor-President Michelle Blanco Boulet wrote.

