Shreveport Citizen and Caddo Deputies to be Awarded For Distinguished Service

Shreveporter Billy Jeter will be honored by Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator on Tuesday for rescuing a man from a burning vehicle on Pinehill Road earlier this month.

Jeter will receive the Sheriff’s Office Distinguished Citizen Medal at 8:30 a.m. at the Re-Entry Facility during a ceremony recognizing his actions when he placed his own life in jeopardy to save the life of someone else.

Jeter was at home in the early morning hours of August 5 when he heard a loud crash in the 4600 block of Pinehill Road. He went outside and found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames with the driver still inside. When the driver was unable to exit the car on his own, Jeter pulled him out of the burning car from the passenger’s side and carried him to a safe location. He then returned to the car to check for other occupants.

When deputies arrived on the scene, flames from the fire were shooting several feet into the air, engulfing the front of the vehicle. Medics also responded and transported the driver to Willis-Knighton Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Also Tuesday, Prator will present two deputies with the Medal of Merit for distinguishing themselves through outstanding service while advancing law enforcement above and beyond normal duties.

Detective Bobby Herring will receive the Medal of Merit for his two-year investigation of a multi-million dollar identity theft case where more than 1,800 victims across the country were identified. Herring arrested 10 people for using the victims’ personal information to open fraudulent cable accounts in Caddo Parish in exchange for money.

Detective Terry Richardson will also receive the Medal of Merit for his investigation of several homicide cold cases, the oldest dating back to 1988. By continuing these investigations in addition to his regular caseload, Richardson has made arrests in two homicides and two cases of solicitation of murder. He continues to investigate other cold cases in addition to his regular cases.

Four deputies with the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol will receive the Sheriff’s Office Certificate of Commendation for their efforts during the historical Red River flooding in May and June. Over several weeks’ time, Lt. Donna Jackson, Sgt. Alan Davidson, Cpl. Casey Jones, and Cpl. Madison Cox responded to numerous calls assisting with the evacuation of residents, rescuing stranded livestock, securing loose watercraft, and collecting debris that posed more danger, all in addition to regular duties. The Marine Patrol worked long hours under less than desirable conditions, leaving their shifts exhausted, dirty, and wet, but were often called out again late at night to assist citizens with evacuations.