Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Corporal Alex Zaunbrecher has been recognized on a statewide level for her actions that her peers say went beyond her sworn duties as a deputy in early 2021.

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, Cpl. Zaunbrecher was dispatched to a disturbance call like nothing she had experienced before. During the investigation into that disturbance, authorities learned that one of the individuals present at the scene was the victim of human trafficking. The adult victim also had a small child with her, and by all reports both the victim and her child were apprehensive of law enforcement. The adult victim was less than cooperative, authorities said, with the responding deputies who were attempting to file their report.

Zaunbrecher saw this and intervened.

After speaking with the victim, Zaunbrecher was able to calm her down and encourage her to participate in the investigation. In those conversations with the victim, Zaunbrecher learned that the woman was heavily reliant on the male suspect from the call, and that the victim and her child were both homeless.

Zaunbrecher took it upon herself to secure a motel room for the mother and child, and used her own money to purchase food and clothing for them. She also made sure that the child had a few toys to occupy their time in the hotel room.

The next morning when she was off-duty, Zaunbrecher located a family-friendly homeless shelter for the pair and then drove them herself across the state to the shelter and helped them get settled in.

Sheiff Tony Mancuso said Zaunbrecher’s actions deserve commendation.

“She went above and beyond what is required of deputies and displayed genuine acts of kindness for those who are most vulnerable,” Mancuso said.

For her actions, Zaunbrecher was one of 15 law enforcement officers from across the state to receive the 2022 Heart of Law Enforcement Award.

She received her award on March 8 at a ceremony and luncheon held in Baton Rouge hosted by the Beyond the Badge non-profit organization.

This year’s event was attended by more than 200 guests, including Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider.