LSP Pilots Makes Surprise Visit to Retired Command Pilot Walter Smith Near Mt. Hermon

The Louisiana State Police reports that Wednesday (May 27, 2026), LSP Pilots made a special stop during a training and maintenance flight to surprise retired Command Pilot Walter Smith near his home in Mt. Hermon.

Smith, a Marine Corps Helicopter Pilot who served in Vietnam, retired in 1988 and made history as the very first LSP Command Pilot in 1969 when the Air Support Unit was created. During the visit, current Command Pilot Dean Levergne had the honor of meeting Smith for the first time.

Recently celebrating his 85th birthday, Smith had not flown in a helicopter in over 40 years. LSP pilots were proud to include a short flight with him as part of their mission today, a fitting tribute to a true pioneer of the unit.

Honoring the past while inspiring the future.