The Slidell Police Department announced Officer Zachariah Colgan as the Officer of the Year for 2024.
They said Officer Colgan’s dedication, hard work, and exceptional service have been nothing short of extraordinary since he joined the Slidell Police Department in 2018.
Along with his primary role as a Patrol Canine Handler, Officer Colgan is also an integral part of the S.W.A.T. team and serves as one of the team’s breacher instructors – training other officers in tactical operations.
Officer Colgan’s service to the department extends beyond tactical and training roles. As a member of the Honor Guard, he has represented the department with honor and respect at various ceremonial events, and as a Field Training Officer (FTO), he has been responsible for the training and mentoring of the next generation of officers. Officer Colgan has been recognized with multiple awards and accolades, including a Lifesaving Award, several Exceptional Service Awards, and commendations over the years. He is known for his ability to work under pressure and consistently achieves outstanding results – including several notable K9 apprehensions, where he, along with his K9 partner, Max, were instrumental in the capturing of armed robbers and homicide suspects.
