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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
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- 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Joanne is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Joanne is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joanne is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1983, 1 officer in LA was killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joanne was 30. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 41.8; the middle age was 35.5. Joanne had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Joanne was 30. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Joanne had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Joanne was 30. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joanne had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joanne was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joanne had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 41.7%.
November holds 9.3% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Her people
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Joanne among them.
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Arthur George Miller
Nov 10, 1920
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Louis Cannaliato
May 5, 1965
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Kenneth Fleming Smith
Aug 31, 1976
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Merlin Eugene Brune, Jr.
Jul 12, 1977
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Robert Edward Cochran
Jan 30, 1978
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Joanne Couzynse
Nov 9, 1983
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Kathleen Angie Briscoe
Sep 7, 1988
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Curtis William Denton, Jr.
Jan 25, 1989
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Stephen Charles Newitt, III
Jan 24, 1996
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James Lee Clarius
Oct 5, 1996
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Joshua Everett Norris
Jul 5, 2007
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David Francis Michel, Jr.
Jun 22, 2016
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Alvis Joseph West, III
Apr 3, 2020
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Stephen Christopher Arnold
May 23, 2021
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Christopher Ohlmeyer
Jan 30, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
