Hundreds gather for funeral of St. Tammany Parish Sgt. Grant Candies
Apr 01, 2025
SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office is remembering Sergeant Grant Candies.
Candies was killed while trying to stop a speeding car during a chase along Interstate 10 last month.
In addition to the family and friends of Candies, his funeral drew hundreds of law enforc
ement officers from across the state to the Harbor Center in Slidell.
The eight pallbearers slowly exited the convention center Tuesday afternoon as the sounds of bagpipes filled the air.
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The wife and children of the late sergeant embraced one another as they prepared to lay him to rest.
Sgt. Grant Candies (WGNO/Jordan Lippincott)
Just moments before, crowds filled the facility for the 37-year-old’s funeral.“Your husband did everything he could do to protect the people of this parish, and he did it to the best of his ability at all times,” said Chad Keating, one of the speakers, as he addressed Candies’ wife. “You should be proud, and if he could say anything today, he would say, you just continue on like I taught you.”
Before joining the sheriff's office in 2016, Candies served as a marine sergeant, and his innate skills helped empower those around him.“He was fierce, the kind of guy you wanted in your fox hole and in your life,” said Scott Goretzke, who served in the Marines with Candies. “He lifted people up around him. His confidence made another stronger, and when you were around him, you wanted to be there.”
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Even though Candies' grit and determination earned him numerous accolades, he also knew how to make people laugh.“In true Grant fashion, it wasn't long until he decided to reenact the scene from The Dukes of Hazard as he attempted to fly his Crown Victoria across a small drainage canal,” said one of colleagues at the sheriff’s office.While some speakers shared laughs, others shed tears.“Thank you, Grant, for everything,” said Nico Paternostro. “You'll be deeply missed but never forgotten. I miss you so much.”
Candies was laid to rest in his hometown of Pearl River at Evan's Creek Cemetery.
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