UPDATED WITH FUNERAL COVERAGE: Motorcade carries sheriff to Morgan City for today's funeral

Mourners praised St. Mary Parish Blaise Smith on Thursday for his lifetime of public service, his dedication and his humanity.
They spoke at Smith's funeral at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, the end of a long motorcade route from Franklin to Amelia and back to the Myrtle Street facilty. Smith's remains were carried to Morgan City in a hearse drawn by a motorcycle, one of Smith's loves.
Smith, 75 and sheriff since 2018, died Saturday afternoon at the St. Joseph Carpenter House, a Lafayette hospice.
Thursday's visitation and funeral at the auditorium drew dozens of law enforcement officers from around the state.
“It’s pretty important to me that he dedicated himself to service, and he was part of the family,” said Sgt. Tucker Mendenhall of the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Closer to home, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office was well represented.
“Sheriff Smith probably worked with everyone here,” said Iberia Deputy J. Smith. “This is a loss to the St. Mary Parish community and the law enforcement community. It’s the least we could do to honor him.”
St. Mary Assessor Jarrod K. Longman was also at Thursday’s visitation. His connection with Smith extends beyond the fact that they both served as parish officials.
Longman’s father, Tommy Longman, was partnered with Smith when they were deputies under Sheriff Chester Baudoin and Chief Deputy Doc Wright. Baudoin was sheriff 1964-84.
“[Smith] made a lot of changes in the department,” Longman said. “He was a good sheriff …
“Sheriff Blaise did a good job of balancing the needs of the public and the needs of his employees. I think his impact on St. Mary Parish will be felt for years to come.”
Officiating at the funeral was the Rev. Mo Seneca, Smith's former pastor, who said "dedication" is a good description of Smith, starting with dedication to service.
Born Dec. 7, 1948, into a military family in San Diego, Smith grew up to see combat in Vietnam, including one episode in which his company was overrun by enemy troops.
"He survived because God wasn't done with him yet," Seneca said.
After leaving the military, Smith served in law enforcement for half a century.
Smith was dedicated to his religious faith and to his family, Seneca said. The sheriff is survived by his wife, his children and-step children, and 19 grandchildren.
"I can think of no better way to honor him than by being dedicated to service, dedicated to family and dedicated to faith," Seneca said.
The Rev. Josh Salter of Crossing Place Fellowship in Franklin quoted Bible verses praising those who do good.
"The sheriff gave his life to serving others and doing good deeds ...," Salter said. "What if we took up the mantle of the sheriff and do good deeds?"
Smith's granddaughter, MaKaila Hebert, praised his legacy of "kindness, hope and love."
Jacki Ackel and Diane Wiltz, former coordinators of the St. Mary Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community program, said the sheriff was instrumental in the formation of the parish's anti-drug DARE effort. He was also involved in the annual Red Ribbon campaign, they said.
Ann Poole works with the St. Mary Reentry Community Resource Program, helping prisoners work their back into society after their release.
"What I like about Sheriff Blaise Smith -- his prisoners, he always wanted them to be treated with respect," Poole said. "He believed in human dignity."
Smith will interred later at a family ceremony.