Thank You for Attending the 2026 Stake Out for Justice
As a community leader, we truly appreciate you joining the fight to make our neighborhoods safer by attending our only annual fundraiser – the law enforcement event of the year. There is much to celebrate, and we could not do it without your support. Thank you for helping us honor officers who have gone above-and-beyond the call of duty this year.
Here you’ll find details about topics covered at this year’s luncheon and the awards presented. Thank you for being a part of NOPJF’s only annual fundraising event. Your support directly impacts the officers, agents, deputies, and civilians in and around New Orleans law enforcement. Proceeds from the event will support NOPJF’s core initiatives, which include promoting public safety through law enforcement training, technology, and tactics.
2026 RUN OF SHOW
11:30 – DOORS OPEN / PHOTOS
11:50 – WELCOME REMARKS – Melanie Talia, CEO of NOPJF
· Guests encouraged to move toward their table and remain standing
12:00 – COLORS; ANTHEM; INVOCATION
· Presentation of the colors by the NOPD Color Guard
· Invocation offered by Chaplin Johnson
– National Anthem by NOPD Lt. Luster
12:05 – RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION
– A moment of silence for our fallen officers
– Co-Chairs: Martin de Laureal, Jr., Benton Smallpage III, and Andrew Wooten
– Recognition of our presenting sponsor First Horizon
– Freeport McMoRan, Shell, Carr’s Hill Partners
– Auto-Chlor, Better NOLA Fund, Stewart Development as Owner/Op of Heritage Plaza, Patrick Taylor Foundation, Dian and Tom Winingder
– Special thanks to the Saints Pelicans Foundation and Mrs. Gayle Benson
12:10 – OFFICIALS AND RECOGNITIONS: Ben Dupuy, Board Chair of NOPJF
12:16 – AWARDS – Melanie Talia
· Badge of Honor – NOPD SPO Troy Yarish
· Badge of Honor – NOPD Seventh District Night Watch
· Badge of Honor – NOPD Special Victims Unit
· Badge of Honor – NOPD Traffic Unit
· Badge of Honor – NOPD Drone Operators
· Partner of Police – Orleans Parish Communications District Director Karl Fasold
· Partner of Police – NOPD Director of Analytics Jess Nezat
· NOPJF Lifetime Achievement: Tom Winingder
12:30 – LUNCH IS SERVED
12:50 – SPEAKERS
· Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Michelle Woodfork
· New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick
· United States Attorney David Courcelle
1:15 –CLOSING: Melanie Talia
– NOPD Canine Unit Officer Major retirement ceremony
Narcan will be available upon exit thanks to the Dr. Jennifer Avegno and the New Orleans Health Department
Thank you for attending. See you next year!
1:30 EXIT PROCESSION
The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making New Orleans a safer place in which to live, work and visit. The Foundation accomplishes this by promoting excellence in policing, efficiency in criminal justice, and positive community engagement. In 2025, the NOPJF has assisted with the response to the January 1st terror attack, arranged the Teneo risk assessment, and supported advanced training to specialized units such as the NOPD Emergency Medical Responder program. The NOPJF was founded in 1995 by concerned citizens who believed the NOPD needed additional resources to effectively police the city. For more information, please visit: www.nopjf.org
