FERRIDAY — Four Concordia Parish residents were honored Tuesday for looking danger in the face and taking action.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy David Hedrick presented certificates to Weeks Furniture employees Steve Weeks, William Barber and Edmond Neal as well as Walmart employee Edward Davis for playing their part in helping capture Melvin Videau, an inmate who escaped in February while being transported through Concordia Parish.

“As we go about living our routine lives, sometimes normal everyday people are presented with the opportunity to step up and make a difference in their community,” Hedrick said. “These men that we are presenting with an award stood up to a dangerous situation and took action, possibly saving the lives of other citizens.”

Videau was being transported from Tensas Parish to Avoyelles Parish Feb. 6 when he escaped from prison guards while they were getting gas in Ferriday.

Videau told the driver his pants were caught on the door. When the driver opened the door, Videau pushed the door open and one of the prison guards to the ground.

Videau escaped on foot while wearing prison attire and flexible restraints, similar to handcuffs.

Deputies went door to door and canvassed Ferriday through the night, but Hedrick said Videau was able to get a ride to the Vidalia area by a family member.

When Weeks arrived at his store Feb. 7, Barber and Neal informed him Videau was sleeping in one of the company’s transport trucks.

“I had seen his picture a few different places the night before and knew exactly who he was,” Barber said. “We just tried to keep him in that truck for as long as we could.”

Videau eventually got out of the truck and ran across U.S. 84 to the Walmart parking lot.

Weeks got in his truck and followed him to the parking lot, making sure to stay on the phone with law enforcement officials the entire time.

“My family could have been over there for all I knew, and I just didn’t want him to have the chance to hurt anyone,” Weeks said. “I knew it could have been bad.”

Hedrick read a list of charges Videau had previously been arrested for that ranged from second-degree murder to battery of a police officer and said the probability of Videau hurting others was high.

“This is not a nice guy,” Hedrick said. “He was a threat to the community, and these residents decided to take a stand.”

Videau eventually walked into the Vidalia Walmart, where Davis also recognized him and told the store manager, who called the police.

Vidalia officers Sgt. Ronnie Coleman and Clint Robinson apprehended Videau inside Walmart without incident.

Hedrick also presented the officers with certificates and thanked everyone involved for capturing Videau.

“I want to thank those who helped search throughout the night and the residents who helped the next morning,” Hedrick said. “They never gave up until the felon was captured.”