Law enforcement, first responders, family, friends mourned Lafourche deputy killed Sunday

An ocean of blue entered a Thibodaux church to mourn the loss of a fallen brother.

A service was held Wednesday for Sgt. Nicholas Pepper who died in the line of duty, Sunday, April 2. A police pursuit ended when a suspect fled Houma Police Department, paused in Thibodaux, and then rammed Pepper's vehicle. The impact killed Pepper and injured another deputy, Madeline LeBoeuf.

Pepper was laid to rest behind St. James Catholic Chapel in Chocktaw. A folded American flag was presented to the family by Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. In addition to the funeral, there was a 21-gun salute and a helicopter fly-over. Law enforcement and first responders from all over attended, even as far as Florida and New York.

During the church service, Webre was the first to speak. He told of how Pepper was dedicated to both his family and his community. Duty, honor, integrity, and devotion: were the words used to describe him.

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"If you were a corrupt politician, someone who embezzled money, or a white-collared criminal, the last person you wanted to see was Detective Nicholas Pepper," Webre said.

From the age of 16, Pepper was already doing police work. He'd take four-hour naps after dinner, so that he could patrol his neighborhood at night to call police about suspected drunk drivers.

"Some people might say Nick took neighborhood watch to another level," Webre said.

Pepper's career spanned 24 years and he spent time with both Houma Police Department and Terrebonne Sheriff's Office. His wife, Christie, is employed through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as an investigator for the Lafourche Parish District Attorney. He also leaves behind two daughters, Patience and Gracie, and a son, Nicholas Jr.

Pepper's life and work were intertwined. His wife gave prepared statements to Webre who read them during the service. Webre, reading her statement, said Pepper met his wife because she was a paramedic. The two would frequently meet on scenes and Pepper became smitten.

She said he loved her fiercely and worked hard to provide for his family.

"He wanted the kids to have more than he had growing up," Webre read from her words. "He didn't want us to struggle, he wanted the kids to have what other kids had."

Pepper was known for working 120-hour weeks. He had finished his duty for the night Sunday when he heard the call over the radio. He was getting gas for his vehicle.

He could have gone home for the night, said a former partner, Jeff Chamberlain, but he positioned himself to help out if the suspect ended up in Thibodaux.

"He could have simply turned off his radio and gone home," he said. "That's just the kind of guy he was."

Chamberlain worked with Pepper for seven years as his partner. He described Pepper as a "machine," who took meticulous notes and once he got on a case, he stopped for nothing, not even food.

He said the two had been through dangerous spots together, but he always knew Pepper had his side. He said Pepper will be severely missed.

Pepper is the sixth life to be lost in the line of duty with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office since 1978.

This article originally appeared on Daily Comet: Detective honored after he was killed in the line of duty