The Nicholls community, family, friends and the University Police mourn the loss of a fallen officer.

University Police sergeant Joseph “Joey” Suitt, 30, died Saturday morning after driving into the brick wall of the Archives and Historical Research Center of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux building on campus.

“Sgt. Suitt was a much-loved member of the University community, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” University president Stephen Hulbert said.

Suitt has been an officer at Nicholls for five years.

“He needed an opportunity and promised he would be loyal and dedicated to the campus,” University Police chief Craig Jaccuzzo said.

Suitt also attended Nicholls for college and was involved with the Nicholls Players. He performed in the show “Our Town” with Joshua Arceneaux, Nicholls graduate.

“I remember Joey as a go with the flow, loving the moment type of guy. He never judged or criticized anyone and had an open heart and mind. I know he loved many things in life but he seemed very interested and aware of the Arts,” Arceneaux said.

Since the majority of students on campus ranged between 18 and 25 years old, Suitt was well-liked and friends with many students on campus.

“Joey was a great friend and an amazing officer. He always had a smile on his face and any person on the campus could approach him with any problem. Joey knew what he was doing,” Steven Steudlein, business administration graduate, said.

Some memories students had involved Suitt’s everyday jobs around campus.

“I remember many times whenever my friends and I would be putting parts on someone’s car in the parking lot, he would stop by and chill with us for most of the installation. He was just great,” Derek Matherne, graphic design junior, said.

“I also remember that he and I had a joking, running feud about what would make a better police unit: Ford Crown Victoria vs. Chevy Impala. I am a Ford man, and he was a Chevy man,” Andrew Schlesinger, government senior, said.

Even though he was a Nicholls law enforcer, students still looked at him as family.

“Joey was like a brother to me. He was always looking after me and always cared that I was doing well. Even though I don’t live on campus now, he still kept up with me. Nicholls lost possibly their best employee,” Brett Badgerow, general studies senior, said.

“He was more like a brother to me who I could always count on. I will always have the memories of the conversations and laughs we had. It’s hard to believe this is real, but I know Joey is sitting somewhere smiling and saying ‘Rock on!” Steudlein said.

Everyone that knew Suitt could recognize him by his laugh that brought a smile to people’s faces.

“I will never forget his distinctive laugh or the many conversations we had over the years. He was an amazing person,” Schlesinger said.

“He was a great, trustworthy, respectable friend with a beautiful soul and unforgettable laugh that was contagious,” Arceneaux said.

It was not just Suitt’s laugh but also his smile that brightened people’s day.

“What I want to remember most about Joey is his smile. He was always smiling and approachable. I’m sad he’s gone,” Amy Mahler, art senior, said.

Visitation for Suitt was held yesterday; however, a funeral will be held at a later date in Texas.

“The world has truly lost a very special individual, an individual that I know was on a path of changing the world and becoming a leader. I am comforted by the fact that he really did have a great life filled with happiness, love and experiences. I know the universe is rewarding him,” Arceneaux said.