New Iberia is mourning the loss of long-time City Marshal Vic Delcambre, who died Thursday morning in Lafayette.

Delcambre, who was 84, died shortly after midnight from multiple organ failure.

“It was pretty quick,” New Iberia City Court Judge Trey Haik said. “We had a Christmas lunch last week. He was looking poorly, but I did not expect this.”

New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt also expressed his condolences on the loss of a man who spent almost half a century in public service.

“Mr. Vic served as our city marshal since 1979, so 40 years,” DeCourt said. “He was a real public servant and will be missed.”

Before taking the marshal’s seat, Delcambre spent nine years as chief civil deputy under Iberia Parish Sheriff Jerry Wattigny.

Haik said under state law the city court judge will appoint an interim marshal to serve until a special election can be held to fill the unexpired portion of Delcambre’s term.

“We have a person under consideration to keep things running until a special election can be held,” Haik said.

Delcambre graduated from Istrouma High in 1952 and attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge for two semesters.

He was elected to his seventh six-year term in 2014. That term expires in 2020.