Holly MatkinThibodaux, LA – Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) Sergeant Nicholas Pepper died in the line of duty on April 2 after a fleeing suspect rammed his patrol vehicle, according to investigators.
The incident began shortly before 4 a.m. on April 2, when Houma police requested assistance with a chase on Louisiana Highway 1 near Kleinpeter Road, WVUE reported.
Houma police said they tried to pull a driver over for a traffic violation, but that he initially refused to stop.
The LPSO said officers and deputies pursued the suspect to Thibodaux, where he ultimately stopped his vehicle near Lafourche Crossing, WVUE reported.
The LPSO said investigators were trying to “negotiate” with the unidentified suspect when he suddenly stomped on the gas and slammed into a nearby patrol vehicle.
Sgt. Pepper, 44, was inside the patrol car at the time of the crash, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said in a statement.
Sgt. Pepper was subsequently rushed to Thibodaux Regional Health System, where he succumbed to his injuries, Sheriff Webre confirmed.
The Louisiana State Police (LSP) said the suspect was apprehended and transported to a hospital with “moderate injuries,” WVUE reported.
His identity has not been released and it is unclear what charges he may be facing.
Sheriff Webre said LSP is handling the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Sgt. Pepper served the LPSO for more than 15 years.
He also previously worked for the Houma Police Department (HPD) and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO), Sheriff Webre said.
Sgt. Pepper dedicated nearly 24 years of his life to his law enforcement career.
He served his entire LPSO career working in the agency’s Investigations Division, where he was most recently assigned 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,” Sheriff Webre noted.
“Nick epitomized all that is honored and revered in a peace officer,” the sheriff wrote. “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.”
Sgt. Pepper leaves behind his wife, Christie, who is a LPSO employee serving the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office as an investigator, according to Sheriff Webre.
He is also survived by his three children, Nicholas Jr., Gracie, and Patience.
“We are all processing and grieving this horrific and tragic death of one or our own,” Sheriff Webre said, according to WVUE. “We are with the family, providing them with support and prayers at this unbelievably difficult time. We ask for the community’s love, prayers and support as well.”
Sheriff Craig Webre has identified the deputy who died after a suspect rammed the deputy’s vehicle early Sunday morning as 44-year-old Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper, 44. The suspect is in custody, and @LAStatePolice is investigating.
FULL RELEASE: https://t.co/36OvPl9I51 pic.twitter.com/p97VCjBdkq
— Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (@LafourcheSO) April 3, 2023
🔵🔵 OFFICER DOWN 🔴🔴
Lafourche Parish, LA Sheriff’s Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper was killed in the line of duty when his marked unit was struck by a fleeing suspect.
EOW: 4/02/2023#BlueLivesMatter
Rest easy, Nick pic.twitter.com/ftlXegOuLJ
— WarMedic (@FoxholeMedicine) April 3, 2023
Keeping the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and their families in my prayers tonight as they have lost one of their own. Please keep them In your thoughts! #louisiana #lawenforcement pic.twitter.com/Wy23clBdz1
— Conner Berthelot (@alex_berthelot) April 2, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Nicholas Pepper, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
