On April 15, 2024, Slidell Police Officer Jason Walden was performing an escort of state and local officials, who were viewing weather-related tornado damage in the Slidell area.
During the escort, the Slidell Police motorcycle was struck by a vehicle in the procession.
Two citizens in the procession, Chris Masingill (CEO at St. Tammany Corporation) and Arthur Laughlin (St. Tammany Parish Councilman), both who had prior emergency/medial training, immediately rushed to the aid of Officer Walden. They were able to stabilize and comfort Officer Walden until paramedics arrived. Both men continued to assist in stabilizing Officer Walden, while paramedics prepped him to be transported to the hospital.
Fast forward nearly 10 months later…after three surgeries, Officer Walden is back to work and will be back riding his police motorcycle while assisting with the upcoming Super Bowl in New Orleans and Mardi Gras in Slidell.
Officer (now Sergeant Walden) was extremely grateful for the heroic actions of Mr. Masingill and Mr. Laughlin, on that dreadful day. Today, Sergeant Walden and Chief Randy Fandal will formally be presenting Mr. Masingill and Mr. Laughlin with The Slidell Police Department’s Citizen Service Award.
