Colonel Michel, commander of the Lozère gendarmerie group, leaves the department

Le colonel Cédric Michel (à droite), le préfet et le général de division. MIDI LIBRE – STEPHANIE BOULOIR

Le colonel Cédric Michel avait pris ses fonctions de commandant du groupement de gendarmerie de la Lozère en août 2021. Sa cérémonie de départ a eu lieu le mardi 23 juillet 2024 à la gendarmerie, à Mende.

A ceremony to mark the departure of Colonel Cédric Michel, commander of the Lozère gendarmerie group, was held on Tuesday July 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., in the gendarmerie courtyard, in Mende. It was placed under the presidency of Major General Charles Bourillon, commander of the Occitanie gendarmerie region, and the prefect of Lozère, Philippe Castanet.

After the protocol part, then the presentation of medals and letters of congratulations for the gendarmes of the group, General Bourillon praised the qualities of the colonel, "officer superior of great value", who " knew how to command with remarkable and flawless efficiency " the departmental gendarmerie corps, with 270 soldiers and around a hundred reservists.

Recognized qualities

The MP and the prefect also welcomed her investment,  Philippe Castanet recalling some achievements which have marked his career in Lozère.

Colonel Michel paid tribute "to the Lozériens for their hospitality, their frankness and their authenticity". He confided that when he arrived, with his wife, they were "far from imagining the surprises that this assignment would have in store for (them)". We also felt a little pang in the heart to leave so quickly, while he compared the command of the group to the Olympic Games: " We prepare for it for thirty years and we practice it for three years." In any case, everyone underlined the quality of this exercise.

Colonel Michel returns to Marseille, where he will be part of "the close guard of the Paca region command", explained General Bourillon, slipping that it was "a waiting post", before kissing another function in the same sector.

The colonel promised to return to Lozère. This will be an opportunity to show his two children "their place of birth and the city that will appear on their identity cards& ;quot;.

His successor, Colonel Marie-Béatrice Tonnany, will take office in September.

Major Michel and the dog Paddy medal winners

During the ceremony, two medals were awarded. awarded. Major Sébastien Michel received the military medal, and the dog Paddy received the bronze medal of national defense. Dog who could soon be around congregants, the prefect having reminded that work was underway to accommodate three dogs in total in Lozère.

In addition, letters of congratulations were sent. discounts à several Loz&eac;rien gendarmes. They concern in particular an arrest à Saint-Germain-de-Calberte, last November, à following injuries à the stabbing, the securing of the June rave party, an arrest at Collioure after a knife attack, the resolution of an abuse of weakness lasting for years in the Villefort sector, the resolution of thefts…hellip;

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