VILLE PLATTE, la. (KLFY) — A Ville Platte police officer is honored with the Heart of Law Enforcement Award for her dedication of serving the youth in her community.

Beyond the Badge is a non-profit organization that recognizes officers across the state for performing extraordinary acts of kindness in their communities as nominated by their peers of members of the community they serve. This year Sgt. Darrian Guillory of the Ville Platte Police Department was the one of the recipients of the Heart of Law Enforcement Award.

In an interview with KLFY 10, Guillory said, “I was absolutely shocked because I was never expecting to be awarded for pretty much just being myself. I’ve been doing that for the last two years. So, I didn’t I didn’t expect to be awarded for it.”

Although she typically works with homicide cases, Guillory was recognized for her efforts with the youth in the city. Guillory organized events like back-to-school backpack giveaways and Christmas toy drives to help children enjoy the most celebrated times of the year.

Guillory told KLFY 10, “Myself, some of my peers and some of the organizations in Ville Platte, we were able to donate over 400 backpacks and over 500 toys for Christmas. So just being able to have fun with the kids and see all those kids come in, that was a highlight for me.”

Being recognized for pursuing her passion, Guillory says it keeps her motivated to continue putting on these events as she brings joy along with protection and service.

Guillory said, “It just added more fuel to the fire for me because I don’t have any idea on who nominated me. It could have been a peer; it could have been somebody from the community. I have no idea. It makes me feel appreciated. So, it just lights a fire under me to want to keep doing it. So, I’m going to keep continuously doing it for this year and every year to come.”

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