Cleared But Fired: Patterson Officer Leaves Yet Another Department After Viral Traffic Stop
A Louisiana police officer at the center of a viral traffic stop video has once again lost his job, even after an independent investigation found he committed no wrongdoing during the incident.
According to a report from KLFY, former Patterson Police Officer Sam Tezeno was cleared following an independent review conducted by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office. However, Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan confirmed that Tezeno is no longer employed by the department. Officials have not publicly stated whether his departure was a termination or another type of separation.
The latest development has reignited a conversation that has followed Tezeno for years and has once again raised broader concerns about how law enforcement agencies hire officers with lengthy disciplinary histories.
Independent Review Found No Wrongdoing
The review centered on a June traffic stop involving Tezeno and a Patterson man.
Cell phone video of the encounter quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread criticism and a packed Patterson City Council meeting where residents questioned both the officer's conduct and his employment history.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office conducted an independent review of body camera footage from the incident and ultimately found no wrongdoing related to the traffic stop.
Those findings were turned over to Patterson Police several weeks before Chief Grogan confirmed Tezeno was no longer with the department.
A Familiar Story For Acadiana
For many in Acadiana, the name Sam Tezeno has become familiar.
KLFY previously reported in 2023 that Tezeno had worked for six different law enforcement agencies in roughly four years. Public records reviewed by the station showed several of those jobs ended with terminations, resignations, or administrative leave.
His previous employment has included agencies in St. Martinville, Grand Coteau, Jeanerette and other Acadiana communities before arriving in Patterson.
The viral traffic stop once again brought that history into the spotlight, with residents questioning how an officer with multiple prior departures was able to continue moving between departments.
The Larger Debate: Can Officers Simply Move To Another Agency?
The case has also renewed a broader discussion that extends well beyond Patterson.
Critics have long argued that officers who are fired, resign during investigations, or leave one department under scrutiny are often able to find employment with another law enforcement agency, sometimes just a few miles away.
Supporters of reform say the current system can leave departments relying primarily on an applicant's most recent employer rather than conducting a deeper review of an officer's complete employment history.
It's important to note that being terminated from a department does not automatically prevent an officer from becoming employed elsewhere. Hiring decisions are made independently by each agency, provided an applicant continues to meet Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements and any other applicable certification standards.
Community Questions Continue
While the Sheriff's Office concluded Tezeno did not violate policy during the June traffic stop, many residents have maintained that the issue extends beyond a single incident.
Public comments during Patterson City Council meetings reflected concerns about public trust, accountability, and hiring practices, rather than solely the findings of the traffic stop investigation.
With Tezeno now no longer employed by Patterson Police, many will be watching to see whether he resurfaces at another law enforcement agency, something that has happened multiple times throughout his career.
For many residents, the case has become less about one viral video and more about whether Louisiana's law enforcement hiring process provides enough transparency when officers move from one badge to another.