Sergeant Martha Ann Woods-Shareef

Sergeant Martha Ann Woods-Shareef

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana

End of Watch Wednesday, August 20, 2008

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Martha Ann Woods-Shareef

Sergeant Martha Woods-Shareef succumbed to injuries sustained when she was run over by a stolen vehicle while responding to an alarm at a convenience store at 1530 Highway 20 in Chackbay.

She had responded to a local convenience store at 2:30 am after an alarm was activated at the store.

Dispatchers heard a scream over her radio, and then moments later a store employee used the radio to inform dispatchers that she had been injured and needed an ambulance. She was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The suspect was arrested approximately four hours later hiding underneath a house.

Sergeant Woods-Shareef had served with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office for 15 years. She is survived by her husband and daughter.

Bio

  • Age 53
  • Tour 15 years
  • Badge 255

Incident Details

  • Cause Vehicular assault
  • Weapon Automobile
  • Offender Charged with murder

alarm, burglary

Most Recent Reflection

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I woke up this morning thinking about Martha Woods-Shareef. Tomorrow marks the 13th anniversary of her passing.

I’m reminded of what an amazing woman she was. Always having a kind word for everyone, friend and stranger alike, Martha exemplified the meaning of public service. I have always said that she ‘spoke softly and carried a big stick’. She was a stickler about doing her job, and I liken her to a train conductor. Dealing with Martha, you quickly learned that her decisions weren’t based on democracy. You either caught the train or caught the gate.

She knew how to deal with people, and she touched many lives during her years. You don’t find many LEO’s these days who demand and receive the amount of respect that Martha demanded and received.

I recall one time after a fight had occurred between a brother and a sister in my neighborhood, she responded to the call. It was a serious fight that turned physical, but Martha saw the bigger picture when she showed up. She sat them both down at the kitchen table and told them that she wasn’t gonna arrest anyone because they would post bond and be drinking coffee together again the next morning like nothing happened. She explained ‘loyalty’ to them and explained that family has to stick together and not fight, and she made them hug and told them to behave. It was moments like that where Martha’s legacy was created and defined.

Kelsey Benoit
Choctaw Volunteer Fire Department

August 19, 2021

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