Ville Platte native and La. State Police major to serve as Colonel Cotton

This year’s Colonel Cotton is Major Wayne Vidrine of the Louisiana State Police. He is a Ville Platte native and a 1991 graduate of Sacred Heart. He is married to Jenny G. Vidrine, and they have one son and two daughters.
Vidrine began his law enforcement career with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1991, after graduating from high school. During his service with the Sheriff’s Office, he graduated from the U.L. Lafayette Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy. After three years of honorable service with EPSO, Vidrine achieved his lifelong dream in 1994 when he was accepted into the Louisiana State Police Training Academy and successfully graduated as a Louisiana State Trooper. He was assigned to Troop I in Lafayette, where he served in the patrol division for nearly 12 years. Vidrine’s unparalleled success and upward trend continued following his transfer to the Bureau of Investigations where he served in Narcotics, Gaming, Detectives, Auto Theft, and various administrative positions. His impeccable career in the Bureau soared through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and, ultimately, Captain. He also served as the Troop Commander at Troop I prior to his promotion to Major of Region III, which is the pinnacle point of his career. Region III is headquartered in Alexandria. Geographically, it encompasses 29 of the central and northern parishes. Three State Police Troops cover these parishes.
When he’s not serving in law enforcement, Vidrine enjoys spending time with family and friends, bass fishing, hunting, and raising and caring for cattle with his father.
When asked what being Colonel Cotton for the 66th Cotton Festival means to him, Vidrine said, “It’s a very big honor to me to be chosen from my peers.” He also said his late great grandfather, Van Ortego, served as chairman of the Cotton Festival for several years. “I can remember vividly, as a child, attending the parade and the Tournoi with my family. Each of my children has participated in the festival, through pageants, cotton pickers, and marched in the school band for the parade.” He added,
To represent the festival, it’s truly an honor.”