United States Marshal Henry L. Whitehorn Sr. was the guest speaker for the Mid Area Concerned Citizens Organization of Verdunville Jan. 13 at the Verdunville Alternative School gym. Whitehorn is the U.S. Marshall for the Western District of Louisiana. He was recommended for the key federal position by Sen. Mary Landrieu, nominated by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Whitehorn has served in that position since July 12, 2010 after previously serving as the chief of police of Shreveport. Before that he served as the deputy secretary for Public Safety Services and the Louisiana State Police superintendent. A member of the state police from 1978 to 2007, Whitehorn started as a trooper and worked his way through the ranks to superintendent. Also during the ceremonies, Ulysses Knight Jr. was presented the In-House Award for service above and beyond the call of duty; Almetra Franklin received the Person of the Year Award; Shelby Bourgeois was recipient of the Community Service Award; Mary Stansbury was given the Community Service Award; and 3rd Ward Marshal David McCoy and Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle were presented a certificate of appreciation for helping with the summer program.