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SBSO NAMES AGENT PATRICK CLARK 2025-26 DEPUTY OF THE YEAR
Agent Patrick Clark has been named the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office 2025–26 Deputy of the Year, a prestigious honor reserved for those whose service, character and performance consistently exceed expectations, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Agent Clark, a member of the Special Investigations Division (SID) Narcotics Unit and a K-9 handler, was honored by the Knights of Columbus Archbishop F. Rummel Council 5747 and its Ladies Auxiliary during a banquet held Sunday, Jan. 18. Also recognized were St. Bernard Firefighter of the Year Engineer Paul Royer and Acadian Ambulance Paramedic of the Year Justin “Jay” Harrison.
Sheriff Pohlmann said Agent Clark’s recognition is well-earned and reflects his unwavering dedication to serving and protecting the community.
“Patrick represents what it truly means to serve with purpose,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “His work with K-9 Pit has directly protected our community, our schools and our region. The professionalism and heart he brings to this agency are exactly why the title of Deputy of the Year is not given lightly. He has earned it.”
For Agent Clark, who began his law enforcement career with SBSO in 2019, the award represents more than professional achievement – it reflects the pride he takes in serving his community, working alongside his team and partnering with his four-legged companion.
Agent Clark graduated from the Slidell Regional Police Academy in 2020 and was assigned to the Field Operations Bureau’s Patrol Division.
In 2023, he transferred to SID as a narcotics agent, coinciding with the Sheriff’s Office’s efforts to reintroduce a narcotics-detection K-9 program for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Col. Daniel Bostic Jr., commander of SID and Agent Clark’s supervisor, said selecting Clark as Pit’s handler proved to be a decision that exceeded every expectation.
“When the search began for a K-9 handler, I knew the success of the program depended not only on supervision, but on choosing the right deputy,” Col. Bostic said. “Patrick didn’t just rise to the challenge – he exceeded every expectation. His dedication, work ethic and the bond he’s built with Pit have made them an extraordinary team and an invaluable asset to this agency.”
To date, Agent Clark and Pit have helped remove more than 30 pounds of illegal narcotics from circulation, including nearly nine pounds of fentanyl and more than 1,400 fentanyl-laced pills. They have also assisted the FBI, Louisiana State Police and the New Orleans Police Department, contributing to the seizure of more than $150,000 in drug proceeds.
Sheriff Pohlmann said these seizures, particularly the removal of the fentanyl from circulation, represent lives saved, overdoses prevented and families spared unimaginable loss.
Agent Clark’s commitment to Pit extends far beyond the job description. As Pit’s sole handler, he is responsible for maintaining the dog’s annual narcotics-detection certification, which includes a full week of intensive training each year at the Alabama K9 facility. When not on duty, Pit lives at home with Agent Clark and his family.
To Agent Clark, the hours spent training, working cases and caring for Pit never feel like a burden, but a blessing.
“Pit may be a working dog, but to me, he’s family,” Agent Clark said. “Daily training keeps both of us sharp, and our bond continues to grow stronger. His intelligence is remarkable, and having a front-row seat to witness what dogs like Pit can accomplish is truly one of the greatest professional honors of my life.”
In addition to his work with SID, Agent Clark is a member of the SBSO Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team and serves as a sergeant in the Louisiana Army National Guard, where he has proudly served since 2018.
Despite his demanding professional responsibilities, Agent Clark says becoming a husband and new father ranks among his greatest personal accomplishments.
For Agent Clark, being selected as Deputy of the Year is both humbling and deeply meaningful.
“To be named Deputy of the Year truly means the world to me,” he said. “It reminds me that the hard work, dedication and sacrifice we put in does not go unnoticed. It’s an honor to represent my division and the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office as a whole.”
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