You probably know him as the guy yelling "that's money!" while dumping a mountain of crawfish onto a newspaper-lined table. Or maybe you've seen him stirring a massive pot of pastalaya with a paddle that looks like it belongs on a Viking ship. Justin Chiasson, better known to his millions of followers as Stalekracker, became the face of Cajun culture almost overnight.
But for nearly two decades, Chiasson had a very different "day job."
He was a veteran with the Louisiana State Police. For many, the mental image of a stiff, uniform-wearing trooper doesn't exactly mesh with a social media star who seasons everything with enough cayenne to drop a mule. Yet, that was the reality until the two worlds collided in a way that basically changed his life forever.
The Viral Rise of a Louisiana Trooper
Chiasson wasn't just a cop who happened to have a TikTok. He was a Master Trooper. He spent about 19 years with the agency, joining back in September 2004. By the time he was earning a salary of roughly $84,000, his side hustle had already exploded into a massive brand involving seasonings, merchandise, and a reach that most marketing agencies would kill for.
Honesty, it was a weird dynamic.
On one hand, you had the Louisiana State Police (LSP)—an agency that has faced its fair share of public scrutiny and "old school" reputation issues—and on the other, you had one of their own becoming a beloved cultural ambassador. For a while, it seemed to work. He was the "human" face of the badge. But law enforcement and "influencer" culture are inherently at odds. One requires strict adherence to a code of conduct and policy; the other thrives on being loud, unfiltered, and everywhere at once.
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What Really Happened with the Hit-and-Run Investigation?
The turning point wasn't a viral video, but a boating accident in July 2022.
According to investigators, Chiasson was a passenger on a boat operated by Bryan Nolan in Assumption Parish. The vessel collided with another boat that had nine people on board. It was a terrifying scene. Passengers on the other boat described it as "slow motion but very fast," watching the collision happen with no way to stop it.
Here is the kicker: instead of staying to help or calling it in, the boat Chiasson was on allegedly fled the scene.
LSP didn't move immediately. In fact, it took until October of that year for Chiasson to be placed on administrative leave. During that window, the internet was buzzing. People were asking why a state trooper, who is sworn to uphold the law even when off-duty, didn't report the wreck or render aid.
The Fallout and the Firing
On January 6, 2023, the Louisiana State Police officially terminated Justin Chiasson.
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The agency didn't mince words. They cited several policy violations:
- Conduct unbecoming of an officer
- Violating lawful orders
- Making false statements
- Neglect of employee responsibilities
The internal investigation revealed that Chiasson reportedly refused to take a polygraph test—a detail his wife later confirmed in messages that went public. For the LSP, that was a bridge too far. You can't be a high-profile representative of the state while being tied to a hit-and-run investigation and refusing to cooperate with the internal process.
It’s worth noting that Bryan Nolan, the driver, faced the brunt of the criminal charges, including DWI and negligent injuring. Chiasson, however, bore the professional brunt of the incident. He lost a career that was just a year away from hitting the 20-year retirement mark.
Two Different Chiassons?
If you search for "Justin Chiasson Louisiana State Police" today, you might get confused by news reports from 2024 and 2025 involving a "Jason Chiasson."
Let's clear that up right now.
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There was a separate, tragic incident on the Tickfaw River involving a man named Jason Chiasson Jr., who was sentenced in August 2025 to two years in prison for a fatal boat crash that killed two people. Despite the similar last name and the Louisiana boating connection, Jason Chiasson Jr. is not the former State Trooper Justin Chiasson. It is a common point of confusion in local news cycles, but it’s a vital distinction to make. Justin (Stalekracker) was the passenger in a 2022 non-fatal hit-and-run; Jason was the operator in a 2024 fatal collision.
The Post-Police Life of "Stalekracker"
Losing a 19-year career would break most people. But Justin Chiasson had a safety net made of "Cajun Two-Step" seasoning and millions of loyal fans.
Since his firing, he hasn't exactly gone into hiding. If anything, he's leaned harder into the Stalekracker persona. He’s transitioned from a trooper who cooked on the side to a full-time businessman and entertainer. He’s built an empire out of his "put it on a cracker" catchphrase.
Does the "former cop" tag hurt his brand? For some, yes. Critics point to the hit-and-run as evidence of "trooper privilege," arguing that if a regular citizen had fled a wreck, they would have been in handcuffs that night. But for his core audience, the drama was just background noise. They are there for the jambalaya and the "Louisiana lifestyle."
Key Takeaways from the Chiasson Saga
If you’re following this story for the legal or professional lessons, there are a few things that stand out:
- Policy is King: Even if you have 5 million followers, you are still bound by your employer's code of conduct. The LSP proved they were willing to fire their most famous member to protect the agency's standards.
- The Power of Personal Branding: Chiasson's ability to pivot instantly into a full-time career shows how valuable a digital audience is. He didn't need the LSP paycheck anymore because his brand was already larger than his salary.
- Accountability Gaps: The delay between the July accident and the October leave still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of the victims. It highlights the often slow and opaque nature of internal law enforcement investigations.
Next Steps for You
If you're interested in the legal side of things, you can look up the Louisiana State Police Commission public records. They often post the results of disciplinary appeals which provide a deeper look into the specific "false statements" mentioned in Chiasson's termination. If you're just here for the food, well, his seasoning is in almost every grocery store in the South. Just make sure you're looking at the right Chiasson before you hit "share" on a news story.