Naquin retires from St. Mary sheriff’s post

Roddy Terrebonne
February 8, 2011
Krewe of Christopher Tableau Only, Monday, March 7, 8 p.m. (Thibodaux)
February 10, 2011
Roddy Terrebonne
February 8, 2011
Krewe of Christopher Tableau Only, Monday, March 7, 8 p.m. (Thibodaux)
February 10, 2011

Scuttlebutt outside the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office now has a political flair.


For nearly two years, the question loomed: Would Sheriff David Naquin retire early, or would he work his entire term.


Naquin put an end to speculation last week, announcing that he will not seek re-election. Effective July, he is retiring.

St. Mary voters will elect a new sheriff in October.


Mark Hebert, who currently serves as chief deputy, will be named interim sheriff, Naquin said.


“The decision to retire was not an easy one to make,” Naquin said in prepared statement. Citing health reasons, the sheriff said while helping clear roadways of debris after Hurricane Gustav hit, he collapsed from dehydration and exhaustion. The incident left him briefly hospitalized.

“Since my family had evacuated to Texas for the hurricane, I had a lot of time to think and reflect. It was soon after that I began my plans to retire,” he wrote. “My plans are to stay in St. Mary Parish and continue to be involved in our community. This is my home. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for the trust you have shown me.”

Three contenders politicking softly for the helm of the sheriff’s office are Hebert, Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle and former state Rep. Jack Smith.

Hebert, a Democrat who hails from Franklin, has more than 27 years of experience with the department. Given that Naquin still holds the position, Hebert said he would withhold any comment about his qualifications for the top post until closer to July.

LaSalle is St. Mary municipalities’ first Black man to hold the police chief’s job. He is serving in his fifth term. A Democrat from Patterson, he said he stands “on my education, training and 37 years of law enforcement experience.”

Smith, a Patterson Democrat, served on the state Criminal Justice and Appropriations committees. He’s also served as a sheriff’s deputy in St. Mary, a Patterson police officer and the parish’s coroner. Smith also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and is studying toward a master’s degree in business.

“The current budget restraints we all find ourselves dealing with …, as sheriff, I will be innovative and use my business experience to squeeze a nickel from every penny,” Smith said.