Broussard, St. Martin sheriff hopeful, eyes patrol visibility

CATAHOULA — Corey Broussard, at 39 the youngest candidate vying for St. Martin Parish sheriff, said if elected he would increase visibility on the streets and garner respectability in the office.

“Going door to door, you learn a lot,” the Catahoula native and resident said. “There’s no respect for anybody.”

Broussard is one of four candidates vying for the office, including Albert “Buzz” LeBlanc of Cecilia, Brian P. Theriot of St. Martinville and incumbent Sheriff Ronny Theriot of St. Martinville.

Broussard said he decided to run for sheriff after noticing a lack of visibility of patrol units and other things not getting done.

“There’s no task reinforcements at school zones or the Sheriff’s Office,” Broussard said. “The (St. Martin Parish) Corrections needs to be rehabilitated. There are cells that don’t function right, people not following policies. There’s a lot. I have a book.”

After graduating from St. Martin Senior High School in 1995, Broussard jumped into his career in law enforcement. Throughout the years, Broussard has worked in the K-9 unit as a deputy, a patrol sergeant in St. Martin and Iberia parishes. He also worked under the State Department in Iraq and Afghanistan for three years as an international police adviser, working alongside U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force security sources to assist in civilian police training.

He is an investigative case manager for Hub Enterprises, a private investigation company in Lafayette.

Broussard said more visibility through traffic enforcement could be a crime deterrent. He also said he could do that with the current staff, although the Sheriff’s Office is losing good people now.

“I have the knowledge and know-how,” Broussard said. “It’s not about me. It’s about people.”

In his spare time, Broussard is a soccer coach with the St. Martin Soccer Association. He said he enjoys fishing, hunting, boating and going to his camp and the park with his family during his free time. He is married to Kasey Broussard, 29, and has seven children: Taylor, 19; Corey Jr., 13; Camryn, 11; Kenadie, 6; Tristyn, 6; Paisley, 18 months and one more on the way.

Early voting begins Oct. 10 at the St. Martin Parish Registrar of Voters Office. Election Day is Oct. 24.