Roll of Honor
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
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joanne Couzynse is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joanne Couzynse's cause is highlighted.
How Joanne Couzynse Compares
Offender Outcome
Served four years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joanne Couzynse is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joanne Couzynse was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
