For the third year, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce has recognized twenty outstanding finalists nominated by fellow citizens with a Community Hero Certificate for contributions to the health, safety and quality of our lives through their dedication and hard work.

Five winners were presented with a 2024 Northwest Louisiana Community Hero medal for contributions to their chosen fields during an awards ceremony in May. The winners were in the categories of Education (Lindsey Tuberville of Calvary Baptist Academy), the Military (Technical Sergeant Tommie Andres of the 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base), Nonprofit (Angie White of North Louisiana Economic Partnership), Healthcare (Danny Talley of Brentwood Hospital), and First Responder.

First Responder winner Deputy Steven “Drew” Harris serves as a Task Force Officer with the United States Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force. The Task Force is made of first responders from different law enforcement branches and serves the entire Northern Louisiana region, said Lt. Matt Gaydos of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office.

“I began my career in law enforcement in 2011 with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office,” said Harris. “I was inspired by my grandfather, a former FBI agent, and several other people who worked in law enforcement.”

First assigned to the Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office as a member of the Corrections Emergency Response Team, he later transferred to the criminal division where his duties were patrolling, training other officers, and serving as a detective, task force officer and narcotics agent.

“In 2014, I joined the Bossier Parish SWAT Team and spent several years working as an assaulter and sniper. I now serve as an assistant entry team leader, sniper team leader, tactics instructor, and firearms instructor,” said Harris.

The Task Force tracks and apprehends violent felons actively evading law enforcement. In February of this year, he was with a team that included Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Corporal Justin Dunn. The team was serving a warrant on Javaria R. Taylor in West Shreveport when Taylor began firing at the officers and shot Dunn, who was pulled to safety by Harris and rushed to the hospital.

Taylor died at the scene and Dunn has returned to his duties. In March, Dunn received a Purple Heart from the Caddo Sheriff’s Office for injuries received in the line of duty.

Harris graduated from Airline High School and studied Criminal Justice at Southern Arkansas University and LSUS. Married with a family, he met his wife at a church function. They attend Cypress Baptist Church in Benton. 

He is pack master of Boy Scout Cub Scout Troop 150 in Benton, which has seventy members.

“We take them camping locally and in Arkansas and stay busy with all kinds of activities,” said Harris, who was an Eagle Scout. He enjoys competitive shooting competitions, hunting and fishing. 

On selecting Harris as recipient of the First Responder award, the Chamber noted “Drew’s remarkable bravery and quick response during a dangerous confrontation with a wanted criminal highlight his exceptional commitment to public safety. Drew’s capability to stay composed when faced with danger and offer help during a life-threatening moment is truly inspirational.”