By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor
John “Big John” Deshotel Sr. has spent decades giving a helping hand to the residents of Evangeline Parish.
The Ville Platte native, and longtime Reddell resident, has served as a deputy in the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office for nearly two decades, and volunteered a good portion of his time escorting funerals, parades and helping out with other benefits across the parish.
“He was just so good to the community,” Deshotel’s sister Merlene Thibodeaux said. “He always volunteered to do the funerals. He was always helping.”
The communities that he has proudly aided for so many years are now looking to give back to the now 71-year-old with a fund raiser this Saturday sponsored by Tiger Trax & Employees. Po-Boys served with chips and a drink will be sold for $6 starting at 10 a.m. across the street from the Y-Not-Stop in Ville Platte.
The money raised Saturday will be given to Deshotel and his family to help pay for the chemotherapy and other medical procedures the well-liked deputy is currently going through in his fight against cancer. Deshotel has Stage 3 Stomach Cancer and secondary cancer in his lymph nodes and started chemotherapy treatment this week.
Deshotel’s daughter Amanda Taylor says she and her family will feel blessed no matter how much money is raised this Saturday.
“If it is $25 or $50, it doesn’t matter to us,” Taylor said. “We are going to be appreciative no matter what the amount is.”
In a written statement provided to The Gazette, EPSO expressed how honored they have been to have Deshotel as a deputy.
“Deputy John “Big John” Deshotel Sr. has been serving with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office for 15-plus years under the administrations of Sheriff Wayne Morein and Sheriff Eddie Soileau as a part-time patrolmen and head of the Department’s Motorcycle Division. Deputy Deshotel serves this department with faithfulness, and has selflessly devoted many hours of volunteer services with the agency. Deputy Deshotel is a man of character, knowledge, and devotion, and is the true definition of a true Public Servant. Sheriff Eddie Soileau and staff feel fortunate and privileged to have such a valuable asset in Deputy John “Big John” Deshotel Sr. serving this agency.”
Deshotel, a Ville Platte High grad and father of six, began this week receiving his chemotherapy treatments in Crowley, while also traveling to Lafayette for radium treatment.
Despite his current health battle, Deshotel’s spirits remain high according to those closest to him.
“We saw him on Sunday and he was happy,” Thibodeaux said. “He didn’t look too discouraged at all.”
Added Taylor, “It just bothers him that he can’t go to work. He really wants to go to work. We have had to tell him that ‘daddy you can’t work right now.’”