Tragic Loss of Sergeant Grant Candies: A Decorated St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Deputy
Sergeant Grant Candies, a devoted and decorated deputy with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, tragically lost his life in the line of duty on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The incident occurred during a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 10 near the Oak Harbor exit in Slidell, Louisiana.
*Incident Details*
According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Candies was attempting to deploy a spike strip to stop the fleeing vehicle when he was struck and fatally injured.¹ The pursuit, which involved juvenile suspects, began in St. Tammany Parish and continued into Orleans Parish, where it ultimately came to a violent end.
*Pursuit and Apprehension*
The circumstances leading up to the chase remain unclear, but authorities confirmed that the vehicle was pursued by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD). The chase concluded around 12:30 a.m. when the suspect’s vehicle collided with an NOPD unit on Interstate 10 near Crowder Boulevard in New Orleans East. All suspects were taken into custody.
*Injuries and Investigation*
An NOPD officer inside the patrol unit struck during the crash sustained injuries but has since been treated and released from the hospital. The juvenile suspects were also hospitalized for injuries related to the crash and are reported to be in stable condition. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the suspects or the charges they may face. The investigation into the events leading up to the fatal pursuit remains ongoing.
*Tributes and Reflections*
Sergeant Grant Candies was a decorated deputy with a distinguished career, having served with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office since March 2016. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, he served in the United States Marine Corps. Candies was also a Field Training Officer for his patrol shift and had trained seven recruits in 2023, totaling 843 hours.
In 2023, Candies was credited with saving the lives of two individuals in separate incidents. His selfless actions and dedication to his community have left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
*Community Reaction*
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has expressed their deepest condolences to Sergeant Candies’ family and loved ones. The community has come together to mourn the loss of this dedicated public servant, with many taking to social media to share their condolences and memories of Sergeant Candies.
*Funeral Arrangements*
Funeral arrangements for Sergeant Grant Candies are pending, but the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced plans for a memorial service to honor his memory and celebrate his life.
As the community continues to mourn the loss of Sergeant Grant Candies, his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched during his time with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
