News & Updates

For this week's deputy spotlight, please help us thank Deputy Brandi Cashat.

The Spring 2026 Citizen’s Academy begins in three short weeks and seats are still available. Visit vermilionsheriff.gov or download the Vermilion Parish Sheriff, La app to register. If you have already registered, you’ll be hearing from our team soon!

As part of VPSO’s Youth Program, Lieutenant Marcus Hebert, Corporal Cody Waldmann, and Deputy Derek Logan recently visited students at Rene Rost Middle School to teach an important lesson on boater safety as we begin moving into boating season here in Vermilion Parish. During the visit, deputies spoke with students about safe boating practices, the importance of wearing life jackets, and how to stay safe while enjoying our local waterways. Living in a parish surrounded by beautiful waterways including the Vermilion River and the Gulf of America, it’s important that our youth learn how to enjoy the water responsibly. We are always happy to spend time with our students and help educate them on ways to stay safe while having fun outdoors. Sheriff Eddie Langlinais and our deputies look forward to continuing these opportunities to connect with students throughout the parish.

The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office will host the Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Donor Center Bus for an upcoming community blood drive on Thursday, March 26th from 10am to 2pm. We encourage our residents, employees, and community partners to consider donating. To make an appointment, you can download the FMOLHS Blood Donor Services app by scanning the barcodes.

Sheriff Eddie Langlinais and all of us at the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office urge the public to ignore and delete any suspicious text messages and never provide personal or financial information to unknown sources.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 3, 2026 New Technology Support Unit Strengthens Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Operations and Innovation Vermilion Parish Sheriff Eddie Langlinais announces the consolidation and rebranding of the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Support Unit (ISU) and Information Technology (IT) divisions into the newly formed Technology Support Unit (TSU). Sheriff Langlinais fulfilled a campaign promise by establishing the Investigative Support Unit (ISU) shortly after taking office in July 2024. Initially staffed by one deputy, the Unit supported investigations and monitored camera systems across Vermilion and surrounding parishes. With the addition of camera trailers and video-capable drones, the ISU expanded its operations, grew its team, and was later restructured to combine with the Information Technology department, enhancing both investigative and technological capabilities. Sheriff Langlinais stated that this restructuring reflects the evolving technological demands of modern law enforcement and unifies all technology-related operations under a single, coordinated command structure. The creation of the Technology Support Unit enhances operational efficiency, improves coordination across divisions, and ensures that the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office remains at the forefront of innovation in public safety. The Technology Support Unit will oversee all technological operations for VPSO, including the administration of the Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program, which operates a fleet of four drones used for search and rescue operations, crime scene documentation, and tactical support. The TSU is responsible for UAS maintenance, pilot training, and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The Unit also manages VPSO’s mobile surveillance and traffic safety fleet, consisting of four mobile camera trailers used for crime deterrence and event monitoring, with additional units currently in production, as well as two speed trailers that support traffic enforcement and public safety initiatives. Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, deployment coordination, and data management. Oversight of all video surveillance systems falls under the TSU, including security camera operations, system monitoring and maintenance, and the management and retrieval of video evidence. The unit further administers the agency’s communications infrastructure, including radio system maintenance, programming, and emergency communications support. A significant function of the Technology Support Unit is in-house software development and maintenance. The Sheriff’s Office develops and manages numerous custom law enforcement applications that support accounting, financial management, evidence tracking, timesheet reporting, policy management, and other operational needs. The continued development of new, agency-specific applications eliminates costly recurring licensing, maintenance, and vendor support fees, allowing taxpayer dollars to be redirected toward additional public safety priorities. In addition, the TSU oversees the agency’s network infrastructure, including fiber optic and ethernet network design, installation, maintenance, and security optimization. The Sheriff’s Office operates its own data center, with the TSU responsible for internal server administration, workstation deployment and lifecycle support, data backup systems, secure storage, and disaster recovery operations. Sheriff Langlinais emphasized the importance of this transition, stating: “The formation of the Technology Support Unit reflects our commitment to using technology to better serve and protect Vermilion Parish. By investing in mobile surveillance, drone capabilities, and a self-managed data center—and by developing our own software in-house—we improve efficiency, reduce taxpayer costs, and strengthen our ability to meet the demands of modern law enforcement.” Sheriff Langlinais added that the establishment of the Technology Support Unit ensures the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office remains technologically advanced, fiscally responsible, and fully prepared to serve the citizens of Vermilion Parish. For more information on the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Technology Support Unit, please contact Deputy Marcus Abshire, Technology Support Unit Director, at Marcus@vermilionsheriff.gov.

Thank you for taking the time to read to Kaplan Elementary School’s 3rd and 4th graders, Deputy Seaux!

Thank you, Deputy Corey Borel II, for 5 years of dedicated service to Vermilion Parish!

For this week's spotlight, please help us thank Deputy Becky Sonnier.

The Vermilion Parish Correctional Center litter abatement crews have been out picking up trash along our Vermilion roadways. Sheriff Eddie Langlinais would like to remind residents and visitors of Vermilion Parish that littering is unlawful. We, at the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office are doing our part by regularly sending our litter abatement teams out, and we ask that everyone does their part by securing their trash and properly throwing it. Let’s all do our part to Keep Louisiana Beautiful!

Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office K9 Kopke has received donation of body armor Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, LA - K9 Kopke has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Kopke’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 6,348 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations. The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

Sheriff Eddie Langlinais is happy to announce that the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office is hosting two free Hunter Education courses in the summer of 2026. Students will receive course instruction from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Attending students will be provided lunch. For more information, and to register, visit the VPSO website at https://vermilionsheriff.gov/huntereducation. For a full calendar of Vermilion Parish events, scan the QR code or search Vermilion Parish Sheriff LA on the AppStore or Google Play.

The Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office is now accepting applications for our Spring Citizen’s Academy! The Academy is a great opportunity for community members to get an inside look at how your Sheriff’s Office operates. Participants will learn about all VPSO divisions that serve Vermilion Parish and hear from guest speakers. The Spring Academy begins on Wednesday, April 1, with classes held each Wednesday throughout the month of April. The program will conclude with a special Graduation and Range Day on Saturday, May 2. A full list of requirements, as well as application and program details, can be found at vermilionsheriff.gov/citizensacademy or on the Vermilion Parish Sheriff LA app under “Programs.” Spots are limited, so don’t wait! We look forward to seeing you this spring!

For this week’s deputy spotlight, please help us thank Vermilion Parish Correctional Center’s Sergeant Justin Pham.

As we enter the final week of Black History Month, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office reflects on the powerful legacy, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans in our parish and across the nation. Sheriff Eddie Langlinais was grateful for the opportunity to attend the 4th Annual Black History Month Celebration Program hosted by The Vermilion Reach Group this weekend. He appreciates the work being done to honor history and strengthen our community. The event, held at the Vermilion Parish Library, celebrated the importance of Black History Month through guest speakers and performers, and honored community leaders for their service and dedication to Vermilion Parish. VPSO remains committed to serving every resident with fairness, respect, and integrity. We will continue to celebrate the differences among us that make Vermilion Parish special.

VPSO has been made aware that Vermilion Parish businesses have been receiving phone calls from a caller who calls herself Felicia Gibson, from phone number (682) 888-5372 in Arlington, TX. "Felicia" is soliciting businesses to pay $1,500.00 for advertising on a "community guide magnet," and states that she is acting on behalf of the "Abbeville Sheriff Department." Sheriff Eddie Langlinais would like to remind Vermilion Parish business owners and residents that you will never receive phone calls with monetary requests from VPSO for advertising purposes, and any official phone calls from VPSO will come from a Sheriff's Office phone line. Please remember to report suspected scam activity to your local law enforcement agency. A full list of phone numbers for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office can be obtained on the "Contact Us" tab of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff, LA app that you can download on the App Store or Google Play.

For this week's deputy spotlight, please help us thank Deputy Troy Hebert.