St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert announced Friday morning that he is retiring effective Jan. 7, 2018.  

Hebert has worked for the St. Marty Parish Sheriff’s Office for 34 years, with 15 of those years serving as the department’s chief deputy and then the past seven as sheriff.  Criminal Chief Deputy Sheriff Scott Anslum will serve as interim sheriff starting on Hebert’s final day in office.

In a released statement, Herbert said the following: 

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your sheriff. I announce my retirement with a heavy heart. As many of you know, my wife, Jill, is battling a serious illness and as much as I love being your Sheriff, I feel it is my place to spend as much time supporting and being with her at this time. 

I am grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from the people of St. Mary Parish and the dedicated members of the Sheriff’s Office, who understand and support my decision. Jill and I are very thankful for the prayers and support we have received.

I am confident that Scott Anslum has the experience, intelligence and leadership skills to continue our work of making the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office the best in Louisiana.  I am also confident that the entire St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office will stand with him to continue the great tradition of this office.

Again, I want to thank the citizens of St. Mary Parish for the opportunity to be your sheriff. I ask for your continued prayers for Jill and me.”  

Hebert began his law enforcement career as a patrolman before moving up to shift supervisor, then as a SWAT agent, earned the rank of lieutenant and then major, and eventually became St. Mary Parish Jail’s warden. In 2006, he oversaw the Criminal Investigation Division and then in Jan. 2011 was promoted to Chief Deputy. 

A month later, Hebert was named interim sheriff when his predecessor David Paquin announced his retirement in Feb. 2011. Herbert won the election that Oct., receiving 53 percent, of the vote when he defeated Patterson Police Chief Patrick M. Lasalle, George Rodriguez and former state Rep. Jack D. Smith (all fellow Democrats). Hebert would then win reelection in Oct. 2015 when he defeated fellow Democrat Blaise W. Smith and Republican Doug Perry after he received 51 percent of the vote. 

St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff expressed his gratitude for Hebert’s service to the community,

“I have known Mark and his wife Jill for a long time,” Hanagriff said. “He has served St. Mary Parish well. We have worked hand in hand on many things, including the jail. What he is dealing with is a tough situation and I understand the reasons why he is retiring. I always have respected Mark deeply. It has been honor to serve with him and to have him as our sheriff.”