The City of LaFayette recognized Lt. Robert Tate as the LaFayette Police Department’s 2025 Officer of the Year during Monday night’s City Council meeting, honoring a career marked by decades of dedicated service and investigative excellence.
Lt. Tate is in his 41st year with the department, having spent his entire law enforcement career serving the LaFayette community. His tenure represents a rare milestone in modern policing and reflects a long-standing commitment to public service.
Widely regarded within the department as a relentless investigator and respected mentor, Lt. Tate continues to work actively as a detective, handling complex cases throughout the year. Colleagues credit him with passing along lessons learned from generations of officers, while emphasizing integrity, persistence, and professionalism to younger members of the force.
In 2025, Lt. Tate maintained a full investigative caseload while also successfully solving two federal felony cases, underscoring both his experience and the confidence placed in him by partnering agencies. City officials said his work continues to set a high standard for the department.
The City of LaFayette expressed gratitude for Lt. Tate’s more than four decades of service and congratulated him on being named the department’s 2025 Officer of the Year.