New sheriff takes office

Cameras flashed and phones hung in the air as St. Mary Parish Sheriff-Elect Blaise Smith took his oath of office Tuesday and became Sheriff Blaise Smith on the fourth floor of the St. Mary Parish Courthouse in Franklin.

Smith brings with him 47 years of law enforcement experience. He most recently served seven years as police chief of the sovereign nation of the Chitimacha.

He will serve the final year of former Sheriff Mark Hebert’s term. Hebert retired in January. On Dec. 8, Smith defeated former Interim Sheriff Scott Anslum in a runoff election. Smith received 52 percent of the vote to Anslum’s 48 percent.

Anslum, who was previously Hebert’s chief deputy, had been interim sheriff since Hebert’s retirement.

Subsequent to being sworn-in by 16th Judicial District Judge Anthony Thibodeaux, Smith stated, “I have to say this: This election was not about me. It was about the citizens of St. Mary Parish, and about you, the employees of the sheriff’s office and about how we, together, can serve our citizens.”

Before the runoff election, Smith pointed to several key issues, including doing a better job with uniform patrol and securing the parish jail in Centerville in the aftermath of five inmates escaping in June. Smith also planned to examine some budget issues within the sheriff’s office.

Smith, who has been in law enforcement throughout most of his life, said, “Most of you know me from Chitimacha (police department), and you know that I have an open-door policy. And whether you voted for me, or not, the door is open for you. And even if you didn’t vote for me, I’m still your sheriff. I appreciate you having exercised your right to vote, and I will treat you as if you voted for me.”

Protecting and serving the citizens of the parish is “a mission. We have a job to do: To protect and to serve the citizens of St. Mary Parish.

“I put God first. God is the reason that I am here. So, we need to believe, and we need to believe as a unit. If we believe as a unit and we pray as a unit, we can do all things. That’s what His word says, not mine.”

Smith concluded, “So, thank you, and congratulations to my new staff. Though, I know some of you have been here longer than I have been here. As we get to know each other, you will realize who your sheriff is. Thank you and God bless.”

Thibodeaux also presided over the swearing in of the sheriff’s civil and law enforcement staff.

—The Daily Review also contributed to this article.