Parish refuses request to show legal bills
March 27, 2019
Career Marine, deputy and academy trainer to run for Sheriff
March 27, 2019
A retired U.S. federal agent who has over decades worked closely with local law enforcement agencies has declared his candidacy for the office of Terrebonne Parish Sheriff, an election scheduled to take place in October.
Blayne Bergeron’s official announcement states “I pledge to do the right thing, the right way.”
Sheriff Jerry Larpenter has not announced formally whether he will seek the office again, although speculation is high that he will not. A former official who served under Larpenter, Mike Solet, has recently announced for the office. Another former member of Larpenter’s administration, Tim Soignet, also announced his candidacy this week.
Bergeron is a native of Houma and graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School, as well as Nicholls State University.
His law enforcement career began in 1982, as a Terrebonne deputy.
“He later transitioned to the Nicholls State University Police Department, where he worked as a fulltime officer while studying for his degree,” the announcement states “After graduating from Nicholls with a bachelor’s degree in 1987, Bergeron was selected as a Criminal Investigator/Special Agent with the United States Customs Service (now known as U.S. Homeland Security Investigations). Bergeron remained a Federal Agent for nearly thirty years, holding many leadership positions, until his retirement in 2016 as the Resident Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, Houma. Bergeron’s most recent position has been in the private sector, as the Facility Security Officer for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (better known as LOOP). Bergeron is responsible for all aspects of security for LOOP, which is a critical component to the nation’s energy infrastructure.”
Bergeron’s announcement states that he comes from a family of public servants including his father, mother, and grandfather. His father, Captain Ernest “Joe” Bergeron, was a twenty-year veteran of the Houma Fire Department, who died in the line of duty in 1983. His mother, Josie Bergeron, “Miss Josie” , was an office manager at Terrebonne Mental Health and also personnel manager at South Louisiana Medical Associates. Bergeron’s grandfather, Hewitt “Chief” LeBouef was a former chief for the Houma Fire Department.
“Bergeron is a family-centered husband and father, who is known by many in the community as either “Bubba” or as the lead-singer of the local musical group “Bandit”, which has been his leisure enjoyment since he was a teen,” the lawman’s biography states, noting that he is also a court appointed advocate for CASA of Terrebonne and serves as the treasurer for the Non-Profit Organization “Bags of Hope.”
“Bergeron’s unique national experience will allow him to offer new and innovative ideas to lead the Sheriff’s Office forward. He has been involved in many diverse assignments throughout his Federal Law Enforcement career, including National Security Supervisor, Narcotics and Organized Crime Investigations, and Emergency Response to Disasters,” the campaign announcement states. “In fact, Bergeron was instrumental in formulating and leading the Federal Government’s Law Enforcement Response for Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Bergeron plans to focus on modernizing the office with data-driven policing, instituting proactive strong community-based policing and drug prevention programs, and fostering partnerships and intelligence sharing with all local, state, and federal agencies to combat the crime and drug crisis we now face. Working together with our partner agencies is essential for effective law enforcement. ‘One Team… One Fight.’”
Bergeron states that the priority of his administration will be to “Protect and Serve” all of the citizens of Terrebonne Parish while moving the Sheriff’s Office forward in leadership, pledging to run the department efficiently and effectively, while working within the given budget, “and not be influenced by any alternative agendas.”
Bergeron also has no ties to the Sheriff’s Office administration and will make all decisions without fear or favor, with the best interests of the citizens of Terrebonne Parish in mind, the candidate’s official statement reads.
“I know there’s a lot of work to be done, and together with your help we can make Terrebonne Parish a safer community,” Bergeron said. “I humbly ask for your support on October 12, 2019 in voting for me, Blayne Bergeron as your next Sheriff.”
Bergeron’s campaign has opened a website, www.blaynebergeron.com, a Blayne Bergeron for Sheriff Facebook page. He can also be accessed through LinkedIn. •
