Portions of major roadways in Jeff Davis Parish were dedicated Wednesday in honor of a Jennings police officer and two Jeff Davis Parish sheriff’s deputies who died in the line of duty.

Highway signs memorializing Jennings Police Officer Burt LeBlanc, Sheriff’s Deputy Claude Winston Guillory and Sheriff Deputy James Michael “Flip” Phillips were unveiled at three separate locations in and near Jennings as family, friends and colleagues paused to pay tribute those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The dedications were held as part of National Police Week.

“This is something I made sure we did during Police Week to make sure that they are not forgotten for what they did as police officers,” Sheriff Ivy Woods said, adding that the small gesture will serve as a reminder to the community to our the local heroes. “They gave the biggest thing possible – their life and we wanted to make sure they were not forgotten by their departments or the communities they served.”

Woods presented family members with replicas of the highway markers before the official signs were unveiled by Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development employees.

A section of La. 102/North Cutting Avenue near LA 97 in Jennings was dedicated to the memory of LeBlanc, who was fatally shot after responding to a 911 call for a medical emergency in February 2000.

LeBlanc, 30, and two other officers were shot as they approached the residence. LeBlanc, who was not wearing a vest, was fatally shot. The other two officers were wounded.

“It has been 23 years, 3 months and 11 days since Burt was taken from us,” his sister Cindy Pochmara of Jennings said. “There is not a single day that we ride down this highway and not think about him. This dedication is a reminder that the City of Jennings and Jeff Davis Parish lost a true hero. Burt loved this city and loved his job.”

LeBlanc had served with the Jennings Police Department for seven years.

Speaking on behalf of the LeBlanc family, Pochmara shared her appreciation for the memorial and thanked everyone involved in making the dedication a reality.

Guillory, now has a portion of U.S. 90 west wnear the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, dedicated in his honor.

Guillory, 63, died in August 2020 from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure while on duty.

“I think it is an honor for them to do this for all of the officers,” Guillory’s widow, Sandra said. “It’s sad that we have to remember them this way because nothing like this should ever have to happen.”

Guillory had served with the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office for one year and had 32 years of law enforcement service. He had previously served with the Jennings Police Department, Lake Arthur Police Department and Coushatta Tribal Police Department.

A portion of LA 26, just north of Jennings, was named in honor of Phillips, who was killed in a single-car crash as he was attempting to catch up to a speeder on LA 26 in May 1999.

Phillips, 45, was parked on the northbound shoulder of the highway clocking vehicles when he observed a speeding vehicle traveling southbound. He made a U-turn and about a quarter mile down the road, he entered an S-curve and left the roadway. His patrol car entered a culvert, rolled over and he was ejected from the vehicle.

“I think this is absolutely amazing,” Phillips’ friend Linda Seamons of Lake Charles said. “He died doing the job he loved. He would have done it (job) for free if he had too because he loved it.”

Phillips had served with the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office for 19 years,