By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
The Lafayette Police Department (LPD) held a plaque dedication honoring Lafayette’s first African-American Police Officers, James Benoit and Johnny Walker. Both Benoit and Walker started as Lafayette police officers in 1953.
The dedication started with a prayer from LPD Chaplain Francis Fontenot. LPD Police Chief Judith Estorge encouraged the audience, “People should work towards the change you want in the world”.
The plaque was made possible by the following organizations: N.O.B.L.E. (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), 100 Black Men, Police Association of Lafayette #905, Magnolia State Peace Officers Association, and Fraternal Order of Police #5.
James Benoit
Benoit’s son, Oscar Benoit, a Lafayette Parish Sheriff Deputy and former Chief of Park Police, attended the plaque dedication. Oscar’s wife, Ella, who is retired from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, was also present. In addition, Benoit’s grandsons, James F. (JF) Benoit, who is with the Louisiana State Police, and Chris Benoit, who serves with the Lafayette Fire Department, were in attendance as well.
Oscar Benoit said his father was a man who instilled service to the community in his children and family. Oscar said, “Given the same uniform and the same equipment, all will serve the same”.
Johnny Mithcell
Some of Mitchell’s family members in attendance at the ceremony were his children, Pascal Mitchell, Bill Mitchell, and Vergie Wiltz, and his grandsons, Pascal Mitchell II and Kendall Wiltz.
During his speech, Pascal stated that when his father became a police officer, he wasn’t allowed to arrest white people. He also pointed out that there are two types of people in the world: givers and takers … that they are the givers. Pascal and Pascal II serve in the prison ministry. Pascal added, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Among those also in attendance were Rachel Godeaux, Chief Administrative Officer for Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG); Vincent Pierre, Municipal and Constituent Advisor for LCG; and Robert Benoit, Lafayette Fire Chief and nephew of James Benoit.
