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SBSO SUMMER EMPLOYEE REED WALLACE RECEIVES KIWANIS LIFESAVER AWARD
St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office part-time summer employee Reed Wallace has been honored with the prestigious St. Bernard Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard Sammie Catalanotto LifeSaver Award for his quick thinking and decisive actions that helped save a woman’s life, becoming the first part-time summer intern who is not a commissioned deputy to receive the award, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Wallace, 17, received the award Tuesday, July 14, during a banquet hosted by the Kiwanis Club at Rocky & Carlo’s Restaurant in Chalmette. He is the first part-time summer intern who is not a commissioned deputy to receive the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard Sammie Catalanotto LifeSaver Award, making the recognition an extraordinary honor.
Wallace, who is entering his senior year at Archbishop Rummel High School, is in his second summer working as an intern at the St. Bernard Parish Correctional Facility, where he assists with monitoring inmate phone calls, video calls and messages for rule violations and other concerns.
While monitoring a video call, Wallace noticed a woman who appeared to be struggling emotionally.
“When I clicked on the call, I saw a woman who seemed to be in distress, and the more I listened, I knew she needed help,” Wallace said. “I was thinking this was serious and that she was about to harm herself or others, so I immediately alerted my supervisor.”
His quick actions prompted an immediate response that ultimately helped save the woman’s life.
“Reed’s maturity, attentiveness and willingness to act without hesitation are remarkable, especially for someone his age,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “He made history as the first part-time summer intern who is not a commissioned deputy to receive this prestigious LifeSaver Award, and he earned it through his extraordinary actions. Reed’s actions demonstrate that every member of this Sheriff’s Office, regardless of age or position, has the ability to make a real difference. We are incredibly proud of him and this well-deserved recognition.”
Col. Kevin Sensebe, commander of the Corrections Division and warden at the jail, said Wallace’s actions reflect the importance of remaining alert and taking every situation seriously.
“Reed showed outstanding judgment and professionalism during a situation that could have easily been overlooked,” Col. Sensebe said. “He trusted his instincts, followed his training and immediately notified his supervisor. His actions helped save a life, and that’s something our entire Corrections Division is proud to recognize.”
Wallace said receiving the award is both humbling and inspiring.
“I feel very honored to receive this award and humbled knowing that even as a teenager I could make a difference,” he said. “I hope this helps open the door for other young people to become interested in law enforcement.”
Wallace said his experience at the Sheriff’s Office has reinforced his longtime goal of pursuing a career in law enforcement.
“I’ve always dreamt of a career in law enforcement,” he said, “and this experience has shown me all the hard work that goes into the job and has made me even more excited about what I have to look forward to in the future.”
Wallace’s parents are Heather and Robin Wallace. Heather is an administrative assistant for Deputy Chief John Vickers, and his grandparents are retired St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office employees, Maj. Mark Poche and Maj. Darlene Poche, who together dedicated many years of service to our agency.
Wallace credits his family’s legacy of service with inspiring him to help others.
“When I was a kid, watching my family do all kinds of amazing things inspired me to help others,” he said.
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