Heroes Who Serve: 5 First Responders Keeping Louisiana Safe

Louisiana is home to dedicated first responders who go above and beyond to keep their communities safe. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight EMTs, firefighters and police officers who are making a difference every day.

Check out five outstanding Louisiana first responders who are making an impact. And if you know a hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a first responder for a chance to be featured in our Heroes Who Serve series on Patch!

Corporals Katelynn Chautin and Sara Leger (Lafayette) — Corporals Katelynn Chautin and Sara Leger of the Lafayette Police Department were honored with the 2023 Life Saving Award for their decisive and heroic actions that saved the life of 90-year-old Bill Huebner. While responding to another call that March 22, Chautin came upon a scene where Huebner had been struck by a truck, suffering a traumatic leg injury. She quickly applied a tourniquet while navigating traffic and called for backup from Leger, a former Army medic and fellow SWAT team member. Together, they transported Huebner in a squad car to the hospital within minutes, a move his family credits with saving his life. Read more here.

Paramedic Saber Holland (New Orleans) — Paramedic and Field Training Officer Saber Holland of New Orleans EMS was recognized for his swift and skilled response that helped save the life and arm of a woman suffering from severe blood loss. Arriving at the scene, he found the 70-year-old victim pale, soaked in blood and actively bleeding from a traumatic arm injury. Holland and his team stopped the bleeding and administered a unit of blood along with trauma-support medications as part of the EMS department’s pre-hospital transfusion program. Thanks to everyone's quick action, the woman’s condition stabilized before arriving at the hospital. Read more here.

Firefighter Blaze Barras (Opelousas) — In April, Firefighter Blaze Barras of the Opelousas Fire Department saved the life of a dog trapped in a burning home. While responding to a house fire, Barras found a lifeless dog named Ace inside and quickly carried him outside to safety. Staying calm under pressure, he performed chest compressions and provided oxygen from his personal air pack, successfully reviving Ace. Thanks to Barras’s heroic efforts, Ace made a full recovery and was safely reunited with his owner. Read more here.

Sergeant Shawna Aymond (Lake Charles) — Sgt. Shawna Aymond of the Lake Charles Police Department saved the life of an infant who had stopped breathing while she was on patrol in 2024. Calm under pressure, Aymond immediately called for an ambulance and performed CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, successfully reviving the baby despite a language barrier with the child’s mother. After ensuring the infant was stable, Aymond visited the family at the hospital to share the good news and gifted them a portable crib through the National Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Initiative. Sgt. Aymond’s quick thinking and compassion reflect the best of the Lake Charles Police Department and highlight her dedication to keeping the community’s youngest members safe. Read more here.

Police Cpl. Jason Lee (Baton Rouge) — In May 2024, Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Jason Lee became a hero when he helped deliver a baby on the side of the road. After being flagged down by a passing vehicle, Cpl. Lee began escorting a woman in labor to the nearest hospital when they had to pull over because the baby was already on the way. Calm under pressure, Lee quickly called for medical help and assisted the mother in delivering a healthy baby boy named Noah. Later, he visited the mother and newborn in the hospital, sharing the unforgettable experience on social media. Read more here.

We’re fortunate in Louisiana to have first responders like these working tirelessly to keep us safe. If you know a local hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch!