Former law enforcement officer Michael Kevin Fontenot proudly announced his candidacy for Evangeline Parish Sheriff in the upcoming election on October 12, 2019.
Fontenot is an Evangeline Parish native. He is the father of three children, Gavin Lafitte, Michael Haden (deceased) and Kadie Amanda, and five grandchildren.
Fontenot has 19 years of law enforcement experience working in city and parish departments in both leadership and administrative positions.
His career in law enforcement began with working for the Ville Platte Police Department in 2000 where he served as a patrolman as well as a member of the Narcotics Jump Team for three years. In 2002, he began working for the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department, where he served as a patrolman, a member of the Search and Rescue Team, and a member of the Narcotics Task Force for three years as a full time officer. After leaving the sheriff’s office full-time, he continued working with the EPSO as a part-time officer for 13 years.
In order to advance his career, Fontenot left the EPSO to work for the Department of Defense at Fort Polk where he completed the Military Police Academy.
Fontenot then had the opportunity to work for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department, where he served the department at different levels beginning with the position of patrolman, and then advancing to a shift supervisor - a position he held for 13 years.
Fontenot has obtained 237 certifications and re-certifications ranging from Homicide Investigation and Evidence Collection to Critical Incident Training dealing with the mentally challenged. He has also spent eight years employed with the Palmetto Police Department, where he served as Assistant Chief of Police for eight years.
During his 19 year law enforcement career, Fontenot received five Officer of the Year Awards, demonstrated leadership skills by holding administrative and training positions, and will bring many years of extensive training and experience to better serve the people of Evangeline Parish.
“It is time for a change in our parish,” said Fontenot. “It is time for real law enforcement. It is time to elect a person who cares about our parish and has the ability and the knowledge to get the job done. I am not a career politician. I am a career law enforcement officer that wishes to serve you as Sheriff.”
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