Sheriff Blaise Smith

Sheriff Blaise Smith is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran having served in the Vietnam War. Sheriff Smith has 47 years of experience in Law Enforcement, as a Reserve Officer, Part-Time Officer, and Full Time POST Certified Officer. He retired from St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office in December of 1994 at the rank of Chief Inspector. He served in Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, working up to the Chief of Police. Sheriff Smith also held a Federal Commission through the Department of Interior for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Sheriff Blaise Smith is a resident of Centerville, Louisiana. He is married to Karen McGoff and they have six children, fifteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Sheriff Blaise Smith was sworn in as Sheriff of St. Mary Parish on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, after winning the "special election." 

Sheriff Blaise Smith won the regularly scheduled election in October of 2019. 

In 2023, Sheriff Blaise Smith decided not to pursue re-election due to health issues. In February 2024, Sheriff Smith passed away, leaving a legacy of change with the SMPSO. 

Sheriff Smith will be fondly remembered in many ways and for so many contributions. His greatest areas of change in the Sheriff's Office would be in fiscal responsibility, which resulted in pay raises, incentive pay for deputies, newer units in the fleet, and new equipment that included body cams for deputies.