FRANKLIN – Gary Driskell took the oath of office to become the 20th Sheriff of St. Mary Parish on Monday, and shortly after, thanked his predecessor and the man who first hired him to work in law enforcement.

Then, he announced a 5 percent pay raise across the board, for all St Mary Parish Sheriff Employees.

Rev Oscar West, Chaplain of the St Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department, known to the rank as 1st Lt Oscar West, said Driskell is a man of faith, and puts his family first.

“I’m excited to work with this man. He knows his priorities and he is a people person – you heard that when he began his remarks, thanking those who came before him,” West said.

In his opening remarks, Driskell thanked his predecessor, Sheriff Blaise Smith, who had hired him as his Chief Deputy. “He had all the faith in the world, in me.”

Smith died on Feb 24, having served after winning a special election in 2018.

He was also a Vietnam Veteran.

The second person Driskell thanked was former St Mary Parish Sheriff Huey Bourgeois, who hired him in 1990, as a correctional deputy.

Bourgeois died Saturday at the age of 95, at his home in New Iberia. He was a U.S. Veteran of the Korean War.

After thanking the Lord, his family and friends, and others in the audience including former St Mary Parish Sheriff David Naquin, Driskell turned to his staff and said, “without your support, I would not be here today.”

Then he announced a 5 percent pay raise across the board for all them, on their next check, to which they applauded.

“I want the citizens of this parish to know that I will work harder and harder each day, to improve this office.”

“I promise you an open door policy, and community policing, which means the world to me.”

Driskell said the sheriff’s office cannot do its job unless they get to know, the people who they serve.

He also said reminded the crowd he will begin construction on a new building and a new motor pool center, later this year.

This Spring, Driskell announced plans for a new $5 million substation and a $1 million new motor pool facility, to be located in Centerville, roughly a mile from the parish jail, which is also in Centerville.

“We will be fiscally responsible with this office. We are setting goals, and we are meeting them,” he said.

Finally, he said he will increase visibility in the parish schools with more sport activities, movie nights, and a junior deputy program.

Also taking the oath of office Monday was Chief Deputy John Kahl.

In 1997, Kahl was hired as a Patrol Officer with the Broussard Police Department where he worked until being hired with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office as a Narcotics Agent in 1998.

Since his time with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kahl has been assigned to the Louisiana State Police West District Narcotics Division, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force.

In 2012, Kahl was promoted to the rank of Captain overseeing the Criminal Investigation Section, Narcotics Section, Special Response Team (SRT), Dive Team, and the Federal Liaison Division. In July of 2016, he was promoted to Major and oversees the Criminal Investigation Section.

In 2020, Kahl was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel. And in 2024, he was promoted to Chief Deputy by Sheriff Gary Driskell.

“It’s very surreal to make it to this point in my career, and I owe a great deal to Sheriff Driskell.”

Kahl said as you look around the department you will see a lot of new hires, new equipment and new vehicles.

“We had the tone set for us with the late Sheriff Blaise Smith, where we learned how to care for our employees. To strive to have open door policies, where we can see and hear any problems in the department, and how to fix them,” he said.

Funeral services will be conducted for former Sheriff Huey Bourgeois on Wednesday, July 3, at Noon, at David Funeral Home Chapel of New Iberia.

Entombment will follow at Franklin City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of New Iberia on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service