Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Nicholas Pepper was killed when a fleeing suspect rammed into his police unit during a pursuit early Sunday morning. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the chase started in Houma when a police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation but the suspect fled and drove into Lafourche Parish
“The vehicle did stop on LA 1 near Kleinpeter Road and at that point, they were attempting to negotiate with the suspect.”
Gossen says negotiations with the suspect failed and he fled again striking Pepper’s vehicle which was blocking traffic in an effort to keep the public safe while negotiations were underway.
“A lot of people think the vehicle was stopped right near him and it was a good couple of hundred yards down the road from him stopping other cars from going while they were trying to negotiate.”
Prior to his LPSO career, he spent time with the Houma Police Department and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Pepper began his career with Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s in 2007 and served in the investigations division – part of a law enforcement career that spanned nearly 24 years of service.
“So we keep his family in our prayers. Hopefully, we learn from this for sure,” said Gossen
Pepper’s wife, Christie, is also 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. The investigation is ongoing and the suspect remains in the hospital with moderate injuries.
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