Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi begins his fourth term

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

John Dupont
| South Post

Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi began his fourth term June 13 when he was sworn in at the Town of Plaquemine Community Center, but he shared the spotlight with a few others during the ceremony.

Ronnie Hébert sworn in as deputy chief of criminal affairs

He has held this position since 2022, when Stephen Engolio retired from this position. Engolio is now police chief for the city of Plaquemine.

Stassi, who was unopposed in last year's election, went a step further by asking lawmakers in attendance to join him on stage for the inauguration.

“Tonight we are sworn in for our fourth term,” he told the audience. “Without these people you see before me, there is no Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office. »

Body cameras will be part of the deputies' equipment. Stassi will also work with state officials and other sheriffs on efforts to reduce juvenile crime and stop the spread of illegal drugs, among other priorities.

“These people leave their homes every day and come to work for the people of Iberville Parish,” said Stassi, who was surrounded by family members on stage. “There is no Brett Stassi without these people here, and there is no Brett Stassi without the people behind me.”

He said he wanted to give credit where credit was due.

“I want to personally thank each and every employee of Iberville Parish for the work you do for the people,” Stassi said. “We often have a merciless time, but tonight I wanted you all to hear it from me. It's not just for me. That's the sheriff's deputy's assessment.

Stassi was first elected sheriff in 2011 in a race against Aubrey St. Angelo.

Stassi – only the fourth man to serve as sheriff in 52 years – succeeded Brent Allain, who retired after serving as head of IPSO since 2000, following Freddie Pitre's 22-year reign as as sheriff. Pitre took office after the untimely death of Sheriff Jessel Ourso in 1978. Ourso was serving his second term, which began in 1972.

Stassi is entering her fourth term after a somewhat turbulent third term, due in large part to the pandemic. Juvenile delinquency and drug distribution remain challenges for his office and many other law enforcement agencies across the state.

Additionally, he began his final term in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Less than two months into his third term in 2020, his father, Ralph Stassi, died at the age of 81. He had served on the Iberville Parish Police Jury and the Plaquemine Board of Trustees and also worked as a detective for the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office. , where he started under Ourso.

Brett Stassi also served as president of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association for a year. He was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame last year.

Lina Portman

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