VIDALIA — Law enforcement officials who attended the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association midwinter conference at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center were given a special treat on Monday as Gov. Bobby Jindal stopped by to give thanks to the deputies for their hard work.

Jindal arrived at the convention center by helicopter to speak to the sheriffs about the work they do.

“Thank you for the hard work you do every day to keep people safe,” Jindal said. “The state has been working to bring together local, state and federal officers so we can all work harder to have safer communities.”

LSA Executive Director Hal Turner said Jindal’s work with the organization has proved to be a great partnership.

“He has done things for us that he said he would do,” Turner said. “If there were any issues we debated on, he was there to bring a good, heated debate.”

LSA president and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Jeff Hingle said Jindal was one of the best governors he has worked with during his time with the organization.

“I have worked with six governors, and none of them were as sheriff-friendly and none of them worked as closely with us as (Jindal),” he said. “This man has stood behind his word on every issue he brought up prior to the election, and he has always been there for us.”

Jindal applauded the work of the LSA and their departments saying it is important to remember that law enforcement agencies need to stick together.

“We are all the same group here trying to get the same things done,” he said. “It is all about helping the people. Louisiana residents win when we all work together.”

Jindal also spoke on the state’s progress, citing three straight years of a growing economy, and three straight years of keeping more young people in the state than leaving it.

“We have to work to make this state better for our children. They are our future,” he said. “Keeping them here is very important for Louisiana.”

Jindal said he hopes to continue his work with the LSA and said he will continue working his hardest for the state.