Less than a week after being promoted to Sergeant, NOPD Officer Jeff Wellborn died today (Nov. 15) after suffering a stroke over the weekend.
Wellborn was an eight-year veteran of the NOPD and most recently served in the Fourth District. He was one of nine officers promoted to the position of Sergeant last week. At the ceremony, Wellborn thanked the department and the community for the opporunity to serve.
"I also want to thank the people of New Orleans for giving us the opportunity to police them and we hope we do it in a style that's professional for all of them," Wellborn told the crowd on Thursday (Nov. 10).
NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison described Wellborn as a true public servant.
"Jeff emboded the true essence of community policing and I was extremely proud to promote him last week," Harrison said. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. We will never forget the sacrifice he made to serve his community."
Funeral services will be held at Parkview Baptist Church at 6301 Camphor Street in Metairie on Saturday, November 19th.
Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 6 p.m.
Wellborn had three children, Samuel, 29, Thomas, 27, and Catherine, 16.
The family has asked that donations be made to the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation in lieu of flowers.