Joanne Couzynse
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Joanne Couzynse

Felonious
End of Watch November 9, 1983
Age 30
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 127 ›
Gender Female

Incident

Deputy Sheriff JoJo Couzynse succumbed to injuries received three months earlier when she was struck by a drunk driver while issuing a traffic ticket. Deputy Couzynse stopped a vehicle at Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Mississippi Avenue in Metairie at 11:00 pm. While writing a ticket beside her patrol car, a westbound pickup truck crossed the road and hit her. After striking her, the suspect fled the scene. Deputy Couzynse was transported to East Jefferson Hospital, where she died from her injuries nine weeks later. The 29-year-old driver was later apprehended and charged with negligent homicide, drunk driving, and several other charges. Charges of drunk driving against him were dismissed by Jefferson Parrish Court officials in 1973 and again in 1979. He was sentenced to four years and was released in 1987. Deputy Couzynse had served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for nine years.

Survivors

She was survived by her parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-27C54400
Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Couzynse gave the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harvey community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Couzynse.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Harvey, Jefferson Parish, LA
Platform Identity jpso.jefferson.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 9, 1983
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 30
Gender Female

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

Deputy Sheriff Joanne Couzynse is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,775 officers honored here.

In LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
12
of 15 officers
80% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,775 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joanne Couzynse's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Joanne Couzynse Compares

Age at Death
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joanne Couzynse is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joanne Couzynse was killed by automobile.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location