Lafayette, LA — Louisiana State Police posthumously honored Lafayette Police Officer Senior Corporal Segus Jolivette during the graduation ceremony of Cadet Class 105, commemorating his life and service to law enforcement. Jolivette, who tragically passed away in the line of duty on July 25, 2024, had recently passed the state police exam and was on the verge of fulfilling his dream of becoming a state trooper when his life was cut short.
At the ceremony, Jolivette’s wife, Alexis Jolivette, delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing her gratitude to the cadets for honoring her late husband’s memory. “To the cadet class, thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring him with you every day like you all did,” Alexis said, reading from a letter she had written.
Although Jolivette did not complete the Louisiana State Police Academy’s 14-week training program, his legacy lived on throughout the class. Every day, cadets carried a backpack emblazoned with Segus’s name and a Louisiana State negotiator patch. Inside the backpack were personal items, including a family photo, a letter, and the running shoes Segus had bought after being accepted into the academy—shoes he wore as part of his preparation for physical training.
“Segus was running with them,” Alexis said. “To me, that was just me making a statement that he was running with them.”
Troopers Kevin McFarlain, Ian Ruiz, and Nicolas Hitter, who had served alongside Jolivette at the Lafayette Police Department, carried the backpack throughout the course. McFarlain, reflecting on the gesture, explained the deep significance behind it.
“To me, it’s more than just a backpack,” McFarlain said. “I’m carrying in my own opinion his legacy, for his kids, for his family.”
Hitter, who had looked up to Jolivette as a young officer, shared how Segus’s unwavering commitment to the profession had influenced his own approach to law enforcement. “The goal for me is to mimic the things he would have done; make sure those boots are shining, uniform is clean, everything is straight, make sure the unit is straight,” Hitter said. “Make sure them tires are shining, have the tint good and whenever you can smile and have a good day.”
Jolivette’s journey to becoming a state trooper was one of perseverance. Despite struggling with test anxiety, he passed the state police exam after multiple attempts. Alexis recalled her husband’s determination, a trait she admired deeply. “He ended up having to take the test five times, but he never gave up,” she said. “He was always resilient each time he took it, and that’s what I loved so much about him, is that he never gave up on anything that he had a goal in doing.”
To further honor his commitment, Cadet Class 105 carried a special quote on their class coin, chosen by Alexis: “Decide where you want to be and don’t stop until you get there.” This quote had been close to Segus’s heart, and it now serves as an inspiration to those who knew him and those who continue to follow in his footsteps.
In addition to the ceremony, Alexis presented each cadet with a photo of Segus to keep in their units, a constant reminder of his dedication to the law enforcement community. “A reminder that Segus is protecting you throughout your day and know that his ultimate job is being done right now,” Alexis said.
According to Louisiana State Police, the backpack and its contents will be dedicated to a different fallen trooper with each future cadet class. The identity of the fallen trooper will be kept a secret until training begins, allowing each class to honor the sacrifice and legacy of those who gave their lives in service.
The backpack, and the poignant tribute it represents, serves as a lasting tribute to Segus Jolivette’s life and his commitment to law enforcement, while also ensuring that the memory of other fallen state troopers is preserved for future generations.