A 35-year-old officer with the Lafayette Police Department suffered fatal injuries Thursday during a hostage standoff in Jeanerette.
Senior Cpl. Segus Jolivette, a SWAT team member, and another officer were shot when a barricaded suspect opened fire on officers attempting to serve several warrants. Two officers were hit by shrapnel. Those injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
The officer's death is the first line-of-duty death the department has suffered since the fatal shooting in October 2017 of Cpl. Michael Middlebrook.
Jolivette served nearly 11 years with the department after getting an early start in law enforcement as a member of the Opelousas Police Department's Junior Police Academy.
A resident of Opelousas, Jolivette joined the Lafayette Police Department on Nov. 5, 2013. He was a member of the SWAT negotiator team and a former school resource officer.
Jolivette was a husband to Alexis Jolivette and father of five children.
He displayed an early passion for law enforcement, the Opelousas Police Department said Friday on its Facebook page, participating in several ride-alongs with the department while in the Junior Police Academy.
After graduating, Jolivette joined the Opelousas Police Department as a patrolman.
"Over the course of four years, Officer Jolivette served our community with unwavering dedication and professionalism," the OPD wrote. "His commitment to his career and his desire to make a greater impact led him to join the Lafayette Police Department, where he continued to serve with distinction."
Jolivette started with the Lafayette Police Department as a patrol officer, served as a school resource officer at J.W. Faulk Elementary School, and was on the SWAT and negotiator teams.
"His commitment extended beyond daily duties, as he was a respected former juvenile detective, an active member of the honor guard," Jamie Boudreaux, Lafayette Consolidated Government chief communications officer, said. He "dedicated much of his free time supporting the explorer program, helping Lafayette’s youth to gain a better understanding of law enforcement operations and the importance of relationship building in our community."
The Lafayette Parish School Board, Superintendent Francis Touchet and everyone with the school system offered Friday their condolences, noting that Jolivette was a member of the LPSS family, having served as school resource officer. He also provided security at extracurricular events at Comeaux High, Northside High and other schools in the parish.
Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas, after a news conference Friday at the police department, said he hired Jolivette onto the Lafayette Police Department, describing him as "a good, good guy."
Law enforcement agencies across the state and nation offered condolences and prayers for the LPD's loss, Interim Chief Paul Trouard said at the news conference.
Trouard said Jolivette "always had a smile on his face."
Lafayette Police Department personnel are leaning on one another at this time of loss and mourning.
"Our officers are hurting right now. There’s a hole in all of our hearts," Sgt. Robin Green, public information officer, said. "We are a family right now We are pulling together to be there for the Jolivette family and all of our officers."
Jolivette was part of the Lafayette SWAT team that joined other area law enforcement agencies responding Thursday to a request for assistance in Jeanerette, an Iberia Parish community between New Iberia and Franklin.
Officials with the Jeanerette Marshal's Office were attempted to serve warrants Thursday morning at a home on Hubertville Road near Martin Luther King Drive in Jeanerette when the suspect took two people in the home hostage and barricaded himself in the house, according to officials.
Nyjal Hurst, 31, was arrested as a suspect in the shooting and standoff. He reportedly was wounded in the shootout but the wound is not life-threatening. Law enforcement officials have not released a list of charges he faces.
Jeanerette officials were trying to serve him with multiple warrants. He previously was arrested in Lafayette on multiple drug-related charges and was involved in a drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish in 2014.
A candlelight vigil in honor of Jolivette was scheduled for Friday evening at the Jeanerette City Hall.
Iberia Parish President Larry Richard said the event offered the community the opportunity "to show our deepest condolences and support to his family, friends and colleagues. Cpl. Jolivette's commitment to safeguarding our community will never be forgotten and this vigil allows us to reflect on his bravery and dedication."
