Commander Gary Marchese was born in New Orleans and raised just outside the city in Kenner. His family has served for the NOPD for over 40 years, including his dad who was with the NOPD for 30 years, and his younger brother who is currently a Sergeant in the 6th District. Comm. Marchese first worked for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1986. He joined the NOPD in 1988 and was assigned to the 2nd District, and then went on to work in SOD, then as a Homicide as a detective. In 1997 he was promoted to Sergeant in the 5th District and then Detective Sergeant of the 6th District. In 2000, he became Lieutenant and assigned to the 7th District. In 2001 he became the 3rd District Investigative Unit Commander. From 2003 to 2005 he was assigned to the NOPD’s Policy and Planning Department. In 2005 and the years after Hurricane Katrina he became the 4th District Investigative Unit Commander. In 2010 he was promoted as the Commander of the Homicide Unit.

Marchese likes the challenge of the investigations, but enjoys even more when he can help bring closure to victims’ families. He finds the camaraderie and deep commitment and understanding of the Homicide Unit a great stress relief from the intensity of the job. When Marchese is not on the job, you can find him playing with his band Kandeeside as the lead guitarist. He plays with his band covering everything from Top 40 hits, alternative rock, oldies, and metal.

Commander Marchese now oversees the city’s 3rd District. Comm. Marchese retired from the New Orleans Police Department in November of 2016.

Assistant Commander Pete Bowen is a New Orleans native and third generation member of the New Orleans Police Department. He joined the department in 1982 and first worked in the 6th District and Special Operations, Narcotics, and Inspections. He also first worked as a Homicide Detective from 1995 to 2001 and then rejoined the Homicide Unit in 2007 as a Sergeant. He enjoys “being a part of a unit where the detectives work hard to put the bad guys away.” Outside of his work with the department he enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family. Bowen is married and has one daughter.

He retired from the department in August 2015. He now spends his time running a bar in the French Quarter.

Comm. Nicholas “Nick” Gernon was born in Washington D.C., but grew up in New Orleans, LA. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2002. He first worked in the 1st District in night patrol before being promoted to Burglary Detective. He has also worked as a Narcotics and Violent Crime Detective and from 2007 to 2009 as a Homicide Detective. Gernon was promoted to Sergeant in 2009 in the 8th District and rejoined Homicide as a Sergeant in 2012. He is proud to work in homicide because he can provide comfort to victim’s families. Gernon is married with one daughter.

In August 2015, Gernon was promoted to Lieutenant and moved to the 6th District. In November 2016, he was again promoted and became the Commander of the 8th District, overseeing the French Quarter.

Lt. Wayne DeLarge joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2003. DeLarge was originally drawn to being a police psychologist helping police officers with the stress of their job. But, he ended up falling in love with investigations and joined the homicide unit in 2011. He describes homicide as “the cream of the crop of investigations” and is proud to be a Detective. He was promoted to sergeant in August 2015.

DeLarge handles the stress of his job by trying to distance his personal feelings from his cases. He finds the best way to cope is by talking to other officers, “I tell my partners things I would never tell my wife.” To cope with the intensity of the job, DeLarge enjoys listening to good music and spending time with his family. He is married with a baby son.

In December 2018, Delarge was promoted to Lieutenant and now leads the New Orleans Homicide Department.

Lt. Jimmie Turner is originally from New Orleans and joined the NOPD in October 1991. He first started as a District Officer then moved to the Task force, and then worked in Community Oriented Policing (C.O.P.S. Unit), District Investigative Unit and Aggravated Crimes. He then was a Platoon Sergeant and then promoted to District Investigative Unit Sergeant in Aggravated Crimes. He first joined the Homicide Unit as a Detective in 1998 and then rejoined in 2008 as a Sergeant. In 2015, he became the Lieutenant in charge of the unit.

Turner joined the NOPD to best give service to his community. His work as a Sergeant in the Homicide Unit is never easy, but he is most proud when he and his fellow detectives and sergeants can close cases that help give closure to victims’ loved ones. On his downtime he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, and especially coaching his little league team. Turner is married with two sons.

Sergeant Marc Amos is a native of West Virginia who joined the NOPD in 1998. Prior to joining Homicide in April of 2014, Sgt. Amos worked in Narcotics, Task Force, Special Operations Division (SWAT) and Investigations in property and persons crimes. As a Sergeant, he has supervised Property Investigations, Special Victims Section (Sex Crimes), and his last assignment prior to homicide was as the commander of Bourbon Promenade Unit.

Sergeant Amos finds the proudest moments on the job to be when he can provide closure to someone. He relaxes outside of the office by playing Xbox, reading fantasy literature, and camping with his family. Sgt. Amos is a proud Marshall University graduate, husband, and father of two.

In October of 2016, Sergeant Amos left the New Orleans Police Department.

Sergeant Robert “Rob” Barrere is from Metairie, Louisiana just a few miles outside of Orleans Parish. He first joined the NOPD in October 2004 as a 7th District Patrolman, then moved to the 6th District Task Force and 6th District Investigations. In December of 2012, Barrere started working in the Homicide Unit.

Barrere is most proud to work amongst dedicated, hard working, and intelligent officers in Homicide. He finds that when he is able to bring closure to a family who has lost a loved one, it is one of the most rewarding experiences of the job. To decompress from the intensity of it all, he tries to run and exercise regularly, listen to music, and spend time with his wife and three children.

Barrere was promoted to Sergeant in April 2018. He now leads a team of detectives in the New Orleans Homicide Department.

Sergeant Bruce Glaudi is from New Orleans and was raised by a father who has been with the NOPD since 1960. Having law enforcement in his blood, Glaudi joined the Police Department in June of 1985. He has worked in the 4th District as an investigator, in the Task Force Unit, as well as the Bourbon Street Supervisor in the 8th District. Drawn to the particular challenges involved in homicide investigations, Sgt. Glaudi joined the Homicide Unit in 2012.

Although it’s not always the easiest job, he’s proud when people are thankful and appreciative of investigators and their hard work. When he is off duty, you can find Glaudi at the gym, hanging out with his wife, attending church related activities or riding his motorcycle. Glaudi has two stepsons from Florida and three daughters that were all raised in New Orleans.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Sergeant Peter Hansche has been in law enforcement for twenty-two years, working in many different departments. His proudest moment was as a Crash Investigator where he, “could help surviving family members understand what caused the death of their loved one.” That desire to help led him to homicide in 2014. “Death bothers me. I try to imagine that person’s pain is over, and we are trying to find the truth about what took place.”

To deal with the stress of homicide work he spends his time making his own ammunition and participating in weekly pistol matches at a nearby range to blow off steam. He enjoys having a group of friends separate from his work. He also enjoys spending time with his daughter who is currently attending college.

Sgt. Mark McCourt was born and raised in Warwick, Rhode Island. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 1998. Before coming to the Homicide Unit in 2012, he worked in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th Districts as a member, at various times, of their Patrol Platoons, Task Forces, Investigative Units, and Special Operations.

Sgt. Daniel McMullen was born and raised in New Orleans. His family has a long history in the NOPD force, including his father who was a former Deputy Chief of Police. McMullen’s own career with the NOPD started in September of 1991. He has worked in 3rd District Patrol, the NOPD Mounted Unit, 5th District Investigative Unit, Applicant Investigations and the 8th District Investigations unit.

He joined the Major Case/Cold Case Homicide Unit in 2002 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2006. From 2006 to 2007 he was moved to the 8th District as a Patrol Sergeant, but then returned to the Homicide Squad as a Detective Sergeant. In 2010 has also become the Commander of the Cold Case Squad for the Homicide Department.

When he is not on the job, McMullen enjoys motorcycle riding, softball games with friends, and spending time with his family. He is married with two kids.

Detective Ryan Aucoin began investigating homicides in 2004 and is currently assigned to the Cold Case Section. He was born and in raised in St. Bernard Parish, just a few miles from Downtown New Orleans. Before joining the police department in 2001, Aucoin worked as a boat captain.

He was drawn to law enforcement by family ties and wanting “to give back to my community.” He takes pride in having the opportunity to change his community for the better by taking violent criminals off the streets. Aucoin says homicide, “wears on me both physically and mentally,” but he is able to handle the stress of the job by spending time with his family and two small children.

Detective Robert “Bob” Bachelder is originally from Portland, Maine where he worked as a firefighter and raised his six children with his now deceased wife. In the months directly after Hurricane Katrina, he was stationed in Slidell just outside New Orleans as a fireman with FEMA.

He retired as a firefighter in Portland, Maine and moved to New Orleans. In November 2007, Bachelder joined the NOPD where he worked as a patrol officer and detective in the 4th district. He then joined the Homicide Unit in June of 2011.

Detective DeCynda Barnes was born and raised in New Orleans. She joined the NOPD in March of 1993 and first worked in Communications, the National Crime Information Center, and as a detective in the 6th District. She joined Homicide in September of 2000. She is now assigned to Cold Case, where she has served since 2003.

Barnes finds her work in the Homicide Department challenging, but having the ability to give closure to the victims’ families and be of service to the citizens of New Orleans, which she loves dearly, are the biggest payoffs of the job. In her off time, she enjoys dancing and relaxing with her family. Barnes has two children.

Det. Tim Bender was born and raised in New Orleans. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 1989 but left in 1990 to work for the Louisiana State Police. In 2006, he rejoined the NOPD and worked in Narcotics and then joined the Homicide Unit in 2009 as a Detective. He finds the best way to handle the stress of his job is through outside interests and hobbies. Det. Bender owns his own welding and fabrication business and enjoys going to his son’s baseball games. He is married with an 18-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son.

In May of 2016 Detective Bender transferred to the K9 Unit.

Det. Bruce Brueggeman is originally from Buffalo, NY. He is a 26-year police veteran and as been with the New Orleans Police Department since January 2013 and joined the homicide team in May 2014.

Before coming to New Orleans he worked as a beat cop in Florida for ten years and was a Sheriff’s Deputy for the Georgia Narcotics Task Force. He was also with the Dekalb County Major Felony Unit for seven years. It was the draw of excitement, various experiences, and potential adventures that enticed Brueggeman to become a police officer.

He thinks that “being a homicide detective is the ultimate position in police work” and that a good detective must work all their cases aggressively. The toughest part of his job is when there’s a “case that you can’t solve. You want to help the family, but it’s hard when there are no leads and no one wants to come forward with information.”

His first case on the First 48, as a member of the Dekalb County Major Felony Unit, is his most memorable because it involved young children: a 13-year-old victim and a 16-year-old suspect. Det. Brueggeman was awarded the Medal of Valor by the Georgia Governor when he saved a baby who had fallen into a pond by administering CPR. Det. Brueggeman is married with three children. His wife is a firefighter. Outside of work he likes being outdoors, hiking and camping.

Detective Richard Chambers was born and raised in New Orleans. He joined the NOPD in 1997 and first worked in the 5th and 1st Districts as a Persons Crimes Detective, and then became a Narcotics Detective and then a Task Force Officer, both in the 1st District. He joined the NOPD Homicide Unit in December of 2003 and is now a Homicide Detective in the Cold Case Unit.

Chambers has always enjoyed being in Law Enforcement, as it’s been a good way to help people in his community. As a homicide detective he finds the work challenging, trying to figure out what happened through scene investigations and interviews, but helping families of victims get closure for the loss of their loved ones makes him proud of his work. When Chambers is not working, he enjoys relaxing, traveling, playing golf, and, of course, cheering on his New Orleans Saints football team.

Detective Maggie Darling McCourt was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She worked for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office from 1999 to 2005. In 2005 she joined the New Orleans Police Department, and in 2011 she joined the Homicide Unit. Darling was drawn to police work because she “liked the idea of dealing with different challenges, and it keeps me on my toes.”

She is proud to be a part of an organization that made it through everything that came with Hurricane Katrina. Darling unwinds from the stress of homicide work by working out at the gym. She is also an avid softball player and enjoys hanging out with her three-year-old greyhound, Primo, and her newest greyhound, Carmine.

Drew Deacon didn’t start off in Law Enforcement. After he earned his BA in 2008, he worked as a graphic designer before applying to be a police officer. He has dedicated his time to a multitude of units over his seven years in law enforcement. After a few years as a Task Force officer, he was transferred to the District Investigative Unit. It was there he learned of his love for the investigative grind.

In 2015, Det. Deacon transferred to homicide as a detective. “Since joining the police department, becoming a homicide detective has been at the top of my list. To me, it’s the pinnacle of investigative work.” Detective Deacon is happily married; he and his wife just welcomed a new baby boy into their family. When he’s not working, he spends time with his wife and baby, relaxing while watching movies or television shows, and playing computer games.

Det. Deacon left the New Orleans Police Department in 2016.

Det. Melanie Dillon is a native of New Orleans. She graduated from college with a degree in Criminal Justice and wanted to give back to the city through the New Orleans Police Department. She joined in 2003 and is proud to work in a career that makes a difference in her community. Dillon is proud to be able to bring closure to a victim’s family through her investigations. She is able to unwind from work by spending as much time with her children as possible. She is a die-hard Saints fan, and she enjoys traveling. Dillon is married with three children.

Det. Dillon was promoted to Sergeant in August 2015 and currently works in the 2nd District.

Detective Darrell Doucette is from New Orleans. His family has a long history working for the NOPD and that inspired him to join the force in December of 1991. He has worked in Patrol, Robbery and Aggravated Battery as a Detective. He joined the NOPD Homicide Unit in November of 2011 and has felt the best part of the job is being able to give closure to families at the end of a closed case.

Doucette copes with the intensity of the job by keeping his faith, praying, bowling, and smoking cigars. He is also proud of his son, a recent New Orleans college graduate.

Detective Elizabeth Garcia grew in Guatemala City in Central America. She attended high school at McMain/NOCCA in New Orleans and attended college at Columbia College of Fine Arts in Chicago and graduated with a degree in Directing, Theatre, English, and Writing. She returned to New Orleans and joined the NOPD in December of 2000. She worked as a Detective in Districts 1, 2, and 8 and worked in Robbery, the Shooting Squad, and in Missing Persons. She joined the Homicide Unit in June of 2007.

She is most proud to work in the homicide unit beside her colleagues because of the opportunity that they have to serve their community. When Detective Garcia is not working, she enjoys writing, photography, Jazz Music from Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Chet Baker, as well as others. Garcia loves the beautiful architecture of the City of New Orleans and counts on the diversity of the culture of the people to make each day and night different and fabulous.

Detective Clinton Givens was born and raised in New Orleans. He started in the NOPD in September of 1997. He was first assigned to the 7th District working as a School Resource Officer in and then in the 1st Platoon as a Field Training officer. In 2010, he worked in Property Crimes as a Detective in the 7th District, and in August of 2012 he joined the Homicide Unit.

Givens finds satisfaction as a Homicide Investigator when he can prepare a case that can ultimately result in a conviction giving justice to families and the community.  When he is off duty, he spends his time as a student at Delgado Community College where he is studying Biology with plans to enroll with a post-graduate degree at Xavier’s School of Pharmacy in the Fall of 2015.

Detective Greg Hamilton was born and raised in New Orleans. Hamilton joined the NOPD in 1994. He spent his first four years as a 5th District Patrol Officer, and joined the Homicide Unit in 1998. He has worked in the unit for over 15 years and is most proud of the opportunity to investigate cases to bring the right people to justice. He finds his faith in the Church, golfing, and fishing to be great stress relievers that help him get through the tougher days on the job.

Detective Winston Harbin was born in New Orleans and raised in the town of Arabi just outside the Lower 9th Ward in the neighboring St. Bernard Parish. He first worked for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Department in July of 1984. He joined the NOPD in 1997 and worked as Patrolman in the 2nd District before moving to Property Crimes. In July of 2000, he joined the Homicide Unit and transferred to Major Case/Cold Case in July of 2002.

As a Homicide Detective, the sadness of the victim’s families affects Harbin most. When he first joined the force he was instructed to treat citizens as you would like to have your family members treated. Since those early days, he takes that lesson to heart every day and values life now with a different perspective as a detective. His strategy to deal with the intensity of the job is to spend time with his wife, three daughters, and his newest member of the family, his granddaughter. He also enjoys spending time on the water fishing.

Detective Joseph Jefferson was born and raised in New Orleans. He first started in the NOPD as a District Narcotics Detective, then worked in the Violent Crime Abatement Team, and joined Homicide in May of 2012.

Jefferson finds his work meaningful when he can make a difference as a detective in the City. When he’s off he spends time with his kid and enjoys boxing.

Sgt. Shawn Jenkins was born in New Orleans but grew up in Santa Barbara, California. After earning a degree in criminal justice she decided to begin her career in law enforcement by joining the NOPD in 2006. She has worked as a detective in the First District and in the Special Victims Unit before moving to homicide in 2014. “Homicide is a unit where I will be allowed to speak for the deceased victim, tell their story.”

She enjoys reading, sewing projects, line dancing, and fishing to help her deal with work related issues. She has the strong support of her immediate family, namely her daughter who is a senior in college.

In May of 2016 Detective Jenkins was promoted to Sergeant. She now works in the 4th District’s Field Operations.

Sgt. Greg Johnson was born and raised in New Orleans. He joined the Department in 2003 so that he could “give back to my city,” he says. Before joining the Homicide Unit in 2012 Johnson worked as both a Task Force Officer and as a member of the District Investigative Unit.

Johnson says he most enjoys “knowing that once the case is solved I’m able to give the family good news which well help obtain closure.” While Johnson says that he thinks about his job even when not working, he is able to deal with it by spending time with friends who are not officers and traveling.

In May of 2016 Det. Johnson was promoted to Sergeant and moved to the Property Crimes Unit.

Detective Rayell Johnson joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2008. After working in the 5th District Persons Crime Unit, Johnson joined Homicide in January 2014. He feels strongly about his work on the police force because it is a way to give back to his hometown of New Orleans. In his spare time Johnson enjoys going to the gym and spending time with his family.

Detective Theo Kent is native to New Orleans. He joined the NOPD in 2000 and first worked in the Street Crimes Unit (Task Force) in multiple districts including the 4th, 8th, 2nd, and 7th Districts. He then went on to become a detective in the 7th District Investigative Unit. Kent joined the Homicide Unit in 2010.

Kent is most proud to be a Homicide Detective because through his cases he is able to stand up for citizens who cannot, or are too afraid to come forward with the truth. Working constantly to solve tough cases means that, on his off time, Kent enjoys quiet days at home and watching his favorite college basketball team, the University of Kentucky – “What’s Up BBN!”

Detective Jacob “Jake” Lundy was born in raised in Athens, Georgia. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2007 and has worked as a Task Force, Burglary Investigator, and Patrol Officer. He finds the detail-oriented nature of investigating homicides to be the most interesting part of his job.

He is proudest when he can give Prosecutors a well-prepared and thoroughly organized case. Lundy says, “the Unit bonds over the pressure involved” and that is how they are able to get through the job that they have to do. Outside of his work in Homicide Lundy collects rare books and is an avid traveller.

Detective Michael McCleery was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He comes from a family background of law enforcement and “always wanted to be a policeman.” He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 1998. He has worked as a Patrol Officer in the 8th District and as a member of the Sex Crimes Unit.

In 2006 McCleery joined the Homicide Unit. The most rewarding part of McCleery’s job is to put away people who prey on the weak. Outside of his work with the department McCleery enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, working on his house, and playing softball. He is married and has two daughters.

Detective Matthew Morrison is a native of Garden City, Michigan. Morrison credits his father, a retired police officer in Michigan, with inspiring him to work in law enforcement. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2009 and worked in the 4th District as a Detective and member of the 4th District Task Force.

He is proud to work in such a noble profession and enjoys working homicide, because the “investigating work is interesting.” Outside of the department Morrison enjoys golfing, bowling, and landscaping. He is married and has four children.

Detective Barret Morton is originally from Davis, California. When he moved to New Orleans, he joined the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in November 1985 where he worked in the Narcotics Unit and the Task Force. After 4 years at the Sheriff’s Office, he made his move to the New Orleans Police Department. After working Narcotics and Person’s Crimes, he transferred to Homicide in 1999.

Morton is proud of his 14 years of work in the Homicide Unit. He feels that helping give closure to the victims’ families is most important and has learned that although the cases are tough and the hours can be grueling it’s best to leave work at work. When he is home he enjoys watching TV, especially sports and Game of Thrones. He is also passionate about traveling and politics.

Detective Tindell Murdock is from New Orleans. Always drawn to public service, Murdock joined NOPD in June 2001. He was first stationed in 7th District as a patrolman and was then transferred to Task Force. He later worked as a patrolman in the 4th, 1st, and 8th Districts, and then became a detective in the 8th District. Murdock joined homicide in December 2011.

Out of all the positions he’s worked in NOPD, nothing is harder or more rewarding than working in Homicide. “There’s no better help you can give someone than closure for their loved one.” When Murdock is off the job, he spends a lot of time with his family. He enjoys hanging outdoors, swimming, and adventuring in and out of the city. Murdock has three happy kids.

Detective Debra Normand is from Metairie, Louisiana just outside of Orleans Parish. In High School she became interested in a career in law enforcement and joined the NOPD in 2007. She first worked in the 7th District in Property Crimes investigating auto thefts. She joined the Homicide Unit in August of 2013.

Normand finds her work in Homicide satisfying when she can focus on the facts of the case and help to assist families at a time when they need it most. When she is not on the job she enjoys hanging out with her animals, gardening, and spending time with her extended family and friends. Normand lives with her partner whom she has been with for over 5 years.

Detective Anthony Pardo is originally from Palacios, Texas where he began his career in law enforcement at age 19. He then moved to New Orleans and joined the NOPD in April of 1998. After working in patrol, narcotics, burglary, and robberies, Pardo joined the Homicide Unit in 2002. He has also worked for the FBI Gang Task force.

In his years as a Homicide Detective, Pardo has come to understand the wear of the cases and intensity of the job. Working with a unit of men and women who work diligently under the most arduous of conditions helps and inspires him on each and every case. On his downtime, Pardo goes out to enjoy the numerous live music shows and civic events that New Orleans has to offer.

Detective Candice Preston is a native New Orleanian. She joined the Police Department in July of 2004. Her previous units include working as a Platoon officer in the 6th District as well as in the 6th District Investigation Unit. She joined the NOPD Homicide Unit in January 2011.

On her off time she enjoys going to the movies and collecting old movie memorabilia.

Detective Justin Rice was born and raised in Metairie, Louisiana. His father, older brother, and two uncles have all served as police officers. In 2003 Rice became a part of that family tradition by joining the New Orleans Police Department. He has worked in Patrol, the Task Force, and District Investigative Units before joining homicide in 2010.

Rice finds that rest and vacation are the best ways to decompress from working in homicide. He also enjoys working out and spending time with his family. Rice is married and has one daughter.

After joining NOPD in 2007, Det. Thomas Ripp worked in the 8th district in Patrol and Bourbon St., 2nd District Patrol, 1st District Task Force and District Investigative Unit Robbery and Shootings. Det. Ripp completed his ultimate career goal of moving to the Homicide Section in June of 2014.

In his words: “Nothing makes me more proud than representing my city and department through solid police work. As far as investigations go, there is no better feeling than when a case comes together and you now have the ability to take a violent criminal off the street.”

In his free time, Det. Ripp enjoys eating out at the many great restaurants New Orleans has to offer, as well as hunting/fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Det. Amy Robinson was born in Mississippi and raised in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. Heavily influenced by her military father, she knew early on that she wanted to join the police department. In March 2007, she became a police officer with the NOPD. “It was only natural that I become an officer to protect and serve the city that I love,” she says. After working as a detective in the 4th District Investigations Unit for two years, she joined the homicide unit in September 2013. She is most proud that she is a role model for her nieces and nephews as well as others in the community.

When she is not solving murders, Robinson enjoys working out and spending time with her family. She is the mother of four grown children and has two grandchildren.

In September of 2015 Detective Robinson transferred to the 8th District, from there she moved to the 4th District Investigative Unit in early 2016.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Detective Jamaane Roy has been in Law Enforcement for the last nine years. He has recently joined the homicide unit, believing it to be the next step after serving as an in-district detective.

Jamaane didn’t always want to be a police officer, but he was encouraged to join by a friend in college. The friend told Det. Roy a story of the two of them being partners, protecting the streets of New Orleans. “He sold me on a dream,” he said. This story led to what he considers one of his proudest moments. “The relationship I’ve built in the community I worked for so many years makes me proud to be a part of the NOPD.”

Even though he is proud of his career accomplishments, he keeps his family life and the job separated. “Once the day is done, leaving work, turning the radio off, and going home to play with my smiling kids, really helps take your mind off things.” Jamaane is married with 4 children.

Detective Tanisha Sykes is a New Orleans native. Sykes was drawn to law enforcement because of her “love for people.” She joined the NOPD in March 2005 and graduated from the Police Academy three weeks before Katrina. This was a chance for her to help citizens and “it made me want to be the best at what I do.”

She worked in the 5th District Task Force and with the Persons Crime Unit. In 2011 she joined the Homicide Unit and is proud “that I have made it to the best unit in the department.” She sometimes finds the stress of work to be too much but handles it by discussing her cases with her fellow detectives and by exercising.

Outside of her work with the Department she loves to sing and dance. She is involved in both her church and a community choir. She also enjoys spending time with her three children.

Det. Ryan Vaught was born and raised in Metairie, LA. He started his work as a police officer in 2001 as a member of the Memphis Police Department before moving back to Louisiana and joining the New Orleans Police in 2004. He worked in the 3rd District Task Force and 3rd District Investigations before joining homicide in 2011. Vaught says he chose law enforcement for the excitement and because “each day would be different.” He says most cases do not bother him unless they involve children, but he takes “solace in the idea that by arresting a murderer I may have saved another life.”

Vaught has been married for eleven years and has twins, a boy and a girl. He tries to spend as much time with his family outside of work as possible by cooking with them and as a coach on his son’s baseball team.

Det. Vaught joined the Jefferson Parish Police Department in September of 2016.

In 2016, Det. Vaught left New Orleans Police Department. He now works in Homicide at Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Detective Waldron was born and raised in Uptown New Orleans. Upon graduating from the University of Alabama, Waldron joined the New Orleans Police Department in early 2008. Waldron was assigned to the Sixth Police District in a patrol and investigation capacity, before being transferred to Homicide Division in November 2011.

Waldron has always had a desire to investigate homicide cases, and enjoys the unique challenges each case presents. Waldron is proud to be able to conduct ethical and thorough investigations, which can help bring closure to a victim’s family and loved ones. When Waldron is not investigating cases, you can find him following sports (baseball, football, and horse racing). Waldron also never passes up any chance to go fishing in the abundant marsh lands surrounding New Orleans. Waldron is currently married.

Det. Travis “Chuck” Ward is a Mississippi native. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2002. He has previously worked in the 6th District Task Force, the 8th District Narcotics Unit, and with the New Orleans Swat Team. He joined the Homicide Unit in 2012 taking what he calls “the fourth coolest job a guy can have after astronaut, fighter pilot, and Navy Seal.” Ward is proud to be a part of the long and rich history of the New Orleans Police Department. He is also proud of being able to bring closure to victim’s families. He copes with the stress of his job by spending time with friends and family. He enjoys golf and duck hunting. He has a “beautiful and awesome” wife with whom he recently had his first child.

Det. Ward was promoted to sergeant in August 2015 and moved to the 6th District.

Detective Nicholas Williams was born in Chicago, IL. He grew up in New Orleans. Williams served six and a half years as a member of the Marine Corp. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2005. He has worked in the 1st and 5th District Task Forces and Narcotics Units. He also worked in the 5th District Person Crimes Unit as a Detective. “Being a member of the homicide unit was one of my career goals,” he says, and in 2012 Williams achieved his goal.

Williams is proud to serve his community as a police officer and to provide a voice to people who might not have one. It is being able to provide that voice that allows Williams to focus on his investigations and cope with the stress of his job.

Outside of police work Williams enjoys exercising and spending time with friends and family. He is a fan of the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Warren Easton High School Fighting Eagles. Williams is currently married and has one son.

Senior Office Support Specialist Karen Barbaro is a New Orleans native. She has been with the New Orleans Police Department since 1991 and has worked that entire time in the Homicide Unit. She enjoys watching movies and TV, gardening, and riding her bike. She is a mother of one adult son and has three grandchildren.

Rochelle Bartholomew is a New Orleans native. She joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2003 and since 2008 has served as an Office Assistant in the Homicide Unit. Before this she worked for the Records and Identification Division. Outside of her work with the department she enjoys shopping and spending time with family. She is married and has three children.