LAFOURCHE PARISH, LA. (THECOUNT) — Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective, Sergeant Nicholas Pepper, has been identified as the deputy who died after a suspect rammed his service vehicle early Sunday morning.
Pepper, 44, was pronounced dead of blunt force trauma injuries at a local hospital on Sunday following a collision with fleeing traffic violation suspect.
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The unidentified suspect is in custody, and Louisiana State Police is handling the crash and criminal investigation.
“Nick epitomized all that is honored and revered in a peace officer,” said Sheriff Webre. “The tremendous outpouring of love and gratitude from the community is truly appreciated. I ask that you continue to keep Sergeant Nick Pepper and his family, as well as our Sheriff’s Office family, in your thoughts and prayers.”
According to the department, Pepper attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The suspect fled at a high rate of speed. Police pursued the suspect and, at some point during the pursuit, the suspect stopped. Officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect who sped off and rammed into Sergeant Pepper’s unit which was stopped nearby. Sergeant Pepper sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was later pronounced dead at Thibodaux Regional Health System. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
Nicholas Pepper began his career at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office on October 15, 2007. He served his entire career in the investigations division, most recently as a supervisor in adult investigations. He was an integral part of nearly every major criminal investigation in Lafourche Parish for more than a decade. Prior to his LPSO career, he spent time with the Houma Police Department and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, part of a law enforcement career that spanned nearly 24 years of service. Pepper’s wife, Christie, is also employed through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as an investigator for the Lafourche Parish District Attorney. He also leaves behind two daughters, Patience and Gracie, and a son, Nicholas Jr.
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Geo quick facts: Lafourche Parish is a parish located in the south of the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 96,318. The parish seat is Thibodaux. The parish was formed in 1807 – Wikipedia.