Rotary Club of Abbeville honors public servants

Gratitude shown to those who serve the public certainly doesn’t have to be limited to one day a year.
However, the Rotary Club of Abbeville does set aside one day each year to offer a special thanks to the people who work to keep the community safe and sound.
On May 6, the club held its annual Public Servants Appreciation Day lunch at the Rec building at A.A. Comeaux Park. Members of the Rotary Club prepared and served meals to employees from the City of Abbeville, the Abbeville Fire Department, the Abbeville Police Department and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“One of the things the Rotary Club does is service before self,” said the Rotary Club’s Brady Broussard Jr., who served as the event’s chair. “We’re here to award some very special people from our city and from our parish.”
Along with a good meal, the club awarded a member of each of the departments in attendance. This this year’s honorees include:
• Shane Stout, Abbeville Fire Department
• Randall Nugeir, Abbeville Police Department
• Cristian LeJeune, Abbeville City Hall
• John Joseph, Aiden Broussard and Lee Schexnaider, Abbeville Public Works
• Marcus Abshire, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO)
Abshire began his career with the VPSO as a corrections deputy in 1997. He grew to become involved in the office’s technology area, becoming the VPSO technology systems administrator in 2007. Not long after taking office in July of ‘24, Sheriff Eddie Langlinais named Abshire director of the newly created Technology Support Unit.
“What makes Marcus stand out is not just his skill,” Langlinais said, “but his mindset. Much of what we rely on every within the sheriff’s office exists because of his vision and his willingness to put in the work.”
Some of that work has saved taxpayers approximately $750,000.
“He has continually improved the tools we use to do our jobs more effectively every day,” Langlinais said. “Marcus, your work has made a difference to Vermilion Parish in ways that will last long after your career.”
LeJeune began her work with the city in ‘23, but not in a role she initially had in mind.
“She actually applied for a billing specialist position,” Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White. “She didn’t get that job.”
Impressed, White eventually brought LeJeune on with the city to work with digital media and communications.
“She eagerly took the job and grew her skillset,” White said. “She’s so much more than media for the city. She approaches things with an eager mindset and curiosity. She helps all of our departments. Her commitment to the community branches out in all levels of local government.”
The wastewater department is an aspect of the local government that may not be given too much thought on a daily basis, especially when everything is running smoothly. The club recognized John Joseph, Aiden Broussard and Lee Schexnaider, who help keep the wastewater plant from being on people’s minds. Rotarian Broussard, who also serves on the Abbeville City Council, said this trio makes a tremendous impact.
“These guys are manning a plant that could be put up against any plant its size in the state of Louisiana,” Broussard said.
Abbeville Chief of Police Mike Hardy said Nugier has the same impact for the police department. Nugier has been with the department since ‘19. In July of ‘24, Nugier moved into the detective division.
“Randall was very instrumental in solving a homicide we had a few weeks ago,” Hardy said. “He’s a hard worker and puts his nose to the grind.
“That’s why we give him this award.”
Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Ashley said Stout is more than deserving of his award. Stout joined the department in ‘16, around the some time as that year’s historic flooding.
“Service above self is what he is about,” Ashley said. “There is never a time when something needs to be done that he is not the one to step up. He is a leader and a peacemaker. If you need something, he’s your man.”
Broussard said he is glad these honorees and their colleagues answer the call every day. That is why the appreciation day is so important.
“We take great pleasure in reminding the public that we should never forget the importance and the value of the public servants who serve us each day and each night,” Broussard said.