NEW ORLEANS — Eric DeLaune, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, was recently selected as the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans.
DeLaune, a Louisiana native, leads all operational activities and administrative operations within the SAC New Orleans area of responsibility, which includes 17 offices across the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Additionally, DeLaune has been selected by the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to serve as DHS’ federal coordinator for the 2025 Super Bowl, providing departmental resources to state and local agencies in Louisiana in preparation for and during the event.
Prior to his current assignment, DeLaune was the deputy special agent in charge in New Orleans; assistant special agent in charge in Baltimore, Maryland; acting deputy special agent in charge in Charlotte, North Carolina; special assistant to the director and deputy director; the HSI senior fellow to the International Association of Chiefs of Police; acting section chief at HSI Headquarters’ Cyber Crimes Center; group supervisor at HSI Memphis and a field agent in various offices in Louisiana.
DeLaune began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a policeman in Louisiana. He began his federal law enforcement career in 2000 with the U.S. Customs Service’s Office of Field Operations, where he initially served as a customs inspector in Houston, Texas, working in passenger and cargo inspections. Following 9/11, DeLaune served as a federal air marshal before accepting a position as a U.S. Customs Service special agent in 2003.
Among many career accomplishments, DeLaune is the recipient of the DHS Secretary’s Gold Medal for Excellence and Distinguished Service, the Director’s Award for Law Enforcement Excellence, and the Secretary of Transportation’s Award of Valor.
DeLaune graduated from the University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member. He earned a Master of Arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Memphis and holds a certificate in Key Executive Leadership from American University.
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