Four STHS Security officers promoted to sergeant

Members of the STHS Security Department are photographed following a promotion ceremony on Friday, July 31, 2020, in which four officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

By STHS Communication Department

When the sun rose Friday, they were rank-and-file security officers. By the time they left for the day, however, Anthony Fortier, David Reed, Tirrell Washington and Eric Wiggins of the St. Tammany Health System Security Department all had new titles – and new stripes on their uniform shirts.

All four were promoted to the rank of sergeant Friday morning (July 31) in a formal ceremony held by the STHS Security Department.

“I can’t stress enough how good a family we have here,” Security Director Kenny Norris said in his introductory remarks. “The Administration supports us, and you guys support everything the hospital throws at you. You’ve done it for years.”

From there, Capt. Malcolm Bates announced each new sergeant, with Lt. Terrel Poullard reading their official charges out loud to those gathered.

“You’re not a leader because of what happens here today,” Bates said. “You’re a leader because of the respect you get from your peers, your co-workers and your subordinates.”

Friday’s round of promotions was the second in as many weeks for the STHS Security Department. On July 17, Brent Borgstede and Poullard were both promoted to the rank of lieutenant in a similarly formal ceremony.

Both sets of promotions are part of a larger departmental reorganization that will next see the addition of three new officers to the hospital’s security ranks.

Below, find photos from Friday’s event.

Members of the STHS Security Department arrive for a promotion ceremony on Friday, July 31, 2020. Four officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

Members of the STHS Security Department are photographed during a promotion ceremony on Friday, July 31, 2020. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

Capt. Malcolm Bates of the St. Tammany Health System Security Department pins stripes to the shirt of Sgt. Anthony Fortier, who was promoted to the rank of sergeant on Friday, July 31, 2020. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

STHS Security Director Kenny Norris, left, with Capt. Malcolm Bates, right, congratulate newly promoted Sgt. Anthony Fortier in a ceremony at the hospital on Friday, July 31, 2020. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

One of four sets of sergeant stripes awarded Friday, July 31, 2020, to members of the St. Tammany Health System Security Department. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

STHS Lt. Terrel Poullard, second from left, pins sergeant stripes to the shirt of newly promoted Sgt. Tirrell Washington, on Friday, July 31, 2020, as Security Director Kenny Norris looks on. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

STHS Sgt. Tirrell Washington, second from left, is photographed with, from left, STHS Security Director Kenny Norris, Lt. Terrel Poullard and Capt. Malcolm Bates. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

Capt. Malcolm Bates of the STHS Security Department, far left, and Security Director Kenny Norris, far right, congratulate the four officers promoted to the rank of sergeant on Friday, July 31, 2020. They are, second from left, David Reed, Anthony Fortier, Eric Wiggins and Tirrell Washington. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

STHS Capt. Malcolm Bates pins sergeant stripes to the shirt of newly promoted Sgt. Eric Wiggins, on Friday, July 31, 2020, as Security Director Kenny Norris looks on. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

Newly promoted STHS Sgt. Eric Wiggins, middle, is photographed with STHS Security Director Kenny Norris, at left, and Capt. Malcolm Bates. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

STHS Security Director Kenny Norris, left, and Capt. Malcolm Bates pins stripes on the shirt of newly promoted Sgt. David Reed. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

Newly promoted STHS Sgt. David Reed, second from left, is photographed with STHS Security Director Kenny Norris, at left, and Capt. Malcolm Bates. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)