Eunice Police Deputy Chief Richard Daigle worked his last day on Friday to complete 30 of service to the city and begin retirement, according to Chief of Police Randy Fontenot.
Daigle started his career in public service in 1983 when he joined the U.S. Navy. He served in the Navy until 1987. From 1987-1990 he was in private employment at an Air Force base.
Daigle returned to his hometown of Eunice in 1990 and began a career of service to the city with the Eunice Police working his way through the ranks and serving in every position including chief of detectives. He ends his career as deputy chief. As deputy chief, Daigle was responsible for the supervision of every section within the department and as a representative of the chief of police.
Daigle’s tenure with the department consisted of the following positions/ranks:
June 1990 – December 1990, reserve officer;
December 1990 - 1995, police officer;
1995-2000, police sergeant;
2000-2015. police lieutenant; and
2015-2021 deputy chief of police.
Fontenot said, “When I was patrolling the streets of Eunice, Daigle, a reserve officer at the time, would come out and ride with me. Then, when he was hired on as a full-time officer, his first assigned shift was mine and I became his first supervisor. Now, as chief, I have been his last supervisor as well. It has been an honor serving with Daigle all these years. He has been a dedicated and dependable public servant who has served honorably.”
Daigle’s grandfather, Adam Daigle, served as chief of police for the Eunice Police Department from 1957-1965.
According to Fontenot, Daigle’s retirement created a need for some changes in the department’s administration. The department’s two senior lieutenant’s are being re-assigned. Lt. Tony Kennedy, who most recently served as chief of detectives, will be assuming the responsibilities of the deputy chief. Kennedy has been with the police department for 22 years plus nine years as a reserve officer. Kennedy served 10 years with the Eunice Fire Department prior to transferring to the police department.
Lt. Ryan Young has transferred to the position of chief of detectives, replacing Kennedy in that position. Young has been with the department since 1998. The chief of detectives is the designated replacement of the deputy chief in his absence.