John F. Marie Jr.

On May 4th 2017, after a lengthy battle with Cancer, a host of Angels descended from Heaven under the Supervision of Blessed Father Francis Xavier Seelos and brought John F Marie Jr to his Heavenly reward. John’s life was a story book to say the least. At the tender age of 16 months, he was in his Father’s arms when a hit and run driver struck them, critically injuring John and severely injuring his Father. Doctors informed the family that young John would probably not survive that night. But the power of prayer is strong. John not only survived, but led a life of helping and saving others. By the age of 12, John was responsible for saving the lives of 2 classmates. At 14, he and a friend heard a loud crash and ran to the scene of an auto accident at Marengo and S. Liberty Sts, where he helped save the life of a New Orleans Motorcycle Police Officer, who was struck and seriously injured by a drunk driver. During his lifetime, John had the reputation of always being in the right place at the right time. John was a graduate of St Henry’s and De La Salle High School. Upon his High School graduation in 1967, John joined the New Orleans Police Cadet Program, attending Loyola University and graduating with Honors (BA Criminology and Minor in Psychology). He was also a member of the National Cross Keys Honor Fraternity. Over the years, John attended and completed numerous career based studies at Colleges, Universities, Schools and seminars throughout the country. Upon John’s NOPD Police Academy Graduation, he was voted “Most Popular Officer” by his classmates. His humor, smile and quick wit was unparalleled. His honors at NOPD were many and upon his retirement in 1998, John left NOPD, as one of the most decorated Police Officers ever to serve the citizens of New Orleans. His NOPD career spanned many assignments where he excelled in all. His assignments included, the 2nd district, the Felony Action Squad, Crime Prevention, Public Affairs, Child Abuse, Sex Crimes, the Detective Bureau (Offense Against Persons Division), the 4th District and the 7th District.
In every assignment, his impact was significant, he grew a reputation for removing dangerous felons off the streets, lowering crime, clearing cases, improving morale and increasing police response times. During his 30 year NOPD career, he was selected Police Officer of the Year on 9 different occasions. Commendations, achievement awards and diplomas still plaster his office walls. Between 1975 and 1980 John served as a Counselor for Police Psychologist Gabriel Rodriguez for officers involved in deadly encounters with armed suspects. Between 1978-1980, John was Director of the Louisiana Crime Resistance Training Institute, at Delgado Community College, providing specialized training, and street survival training to area police officers.
In 1980, John was elected 1st Vice president of PANO and with Ron Cannatella helped restructure the Police Association after the 1979 Police Strike, providing benefits and legal representation for police officers while rebuilding the association’s public image.
John’s talents were many, as he also assumed the position of Editor and Chief of the Association’s publications during that time. The Star and Crescent Newspaper and the Force Magazine were the largest and most popular Police Publications in the South.
Additionally, John was the first CrimeStoppers Officer, doing reenactments and stand ups at Crime Scenes for WVUE Television soliciting crime witnesses. During the 80’s and 90’s he was the first Police Officer in the nation to host his own Independent Cable Access Television Program and Radio Talk Show. On Friday nights, the popularity of his radio show soared, as John would ride with various Police and Sheriff’s Street Crime Units and broadcast live action as it happened. His ratings topped the charts. He was indeed a trailblazer to today’s “COP” shows and “Live PD”, type programs, with only a 3 man staff. During that time, John received 2 Independent, “Outstanding News Reporter” awards for his fair and unbiased reporting of news events and criminal activity. While awaiting promotion to the position of NOPD Captain, Lieutenant John Marie decided to retire from the NOPD on March 1, 1998. On the day of his retirement, while en route to his retirement party, John was involved in a high speed chase and shootout with an armed robbery suspect to end his colorful and exciting police career.
That afternoon, Sheriff Jiff Hingle called and met with John and offered him a staff position within the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. John served as PPSO Public Information Officer, and held the rank of Major and working title, (Deputy Chief of Operations), where he was instrumental revising police procedures and professionalizing the department, through CALEA (The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement policies.
John was also instrumental forming a Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #27, to assist and provide benefits to Plaquemines Parish Deputies. He also served as a major player, working as the Sherriff’s Office liaison with Parish, State and Federal Officials during several Hurricanes and the BP Oil Spill. After 15 years of service with the PPSO, John retired again and was asked by Parish Coroner, Lawrence A. Giambelluca MD, to take over as Chief Investigator of the Plaquemines Parish Coroner’s Office, where he served in that capacity until the time of his death.
As Chief Investigator, John attended and completed the Professional Standards of Training of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation Training at St Louis University’s School of Medicine and also attended their Masters Course 2 years later. As Chief Investigator, he lobbied Plaquemines Parish Government Officials and secured new modern office facilities for his Investigators, new computers, new furniture, new vehicles, updated forensic equipment, and began working on a web site for easy access and knowledge of Coroner related functions, while staying under his allotted budget. John assured Parish Leaders that all Plaquemines Parish Coroner Investigators would have formal Medicolegal Training and attend the American Board of Medicolegal Training at St Louis University School of Medicine to assure the highest standards of the Medicolegal Death Investigation Profession. John has also served the Gretna Police Department as a Lieutenant in the Reserves.
As an active member of the community, John’s social involvement was very well known. He has and held membership in over 25 civic, social and athletic organizations and was a fixture at almost every major social and athletic event.
John was an exceptional runner and member of several local and national running clubs. During his 30’s and 40’s, John and his son were often a bracket winners in local road races. His trophy cases are filled with trophies, medals and ribbons. Annually, he was a top 500 in the Crescent City Classic. He also ran the 26 mile New York City Marathon on 6 occasions and was the first Louisiana finisher in 1995.
John is a, Charter Member, Board Member, former Grand Marshal, of the Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade (1992) and Past President of the Downtown Irish Club. He is on the Board of Directors of the Crescent City Tigers (Greater New Orleans LSU Alumni Association), Past President of the UNO Baseball Coaches Committee, Board of Directions Committee Member of the Metairie St. Patrick’s Day Parade,Executive Board Member of Crimefighters, Executive Board Member of the Emerald Society of Metropolitan New Orleans, State Trustee for Plaquemines Parish Lodge #27 of the Fraternal Order of Police, he served as an active member of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation New Orleans Bowl and helped conduct free football clinics for underprivileged children, the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, the Police Association of New Orleans, the Irish Channel Marching Club and a Fellow Member of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, to list a few.
As an avid LSU Tiger fan, he attended every football game home and away for over 20 years, missing only one game due to Hurricane Katrina. On March 28, 2017, LSU Football Coach, Ed Orgeron presented John with an official LSU Football Jersey (MARIE 19). John was also an avid LSU baseball fan, season ticket holder and has been a regular since 1996 at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska where he has made many great contacts and lasting friendships.
He is survived by his son, John F Marie III (wife Angela), a daughter Melissa Jeanne Marie, a sister, Mary Jo Godfrey (husband Mark) and his faithful 4 legged companion, Bella, (a piebald, longhair, Dachshund). He is also survived by his first wife Patricia Walker (husband William} and former wife Lisa Dazzo Marie, who remained devoted to John until his death.
The family would like to express deep gratitude to Dr. Salvador Caputto for his extraordinary care during John’s illness and to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos for “MANY” favors granted.
A special thanks goes to Jan Ruel Juneau RN, a longtime and devoted friend, for her support and assistance to our dad, especially in his time of need. Jan, you have been a rock star!
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at 2pm at St Mary’s Assumption Church, 923 Josephine St. New Orleans, LA 70130 on Monday, May 8, 2017, with visitation before Mass beginning at 11am.
Interment will be at Westlawn Cemetery at a date to be specified. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, www.louisianacancercenter.org . Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com