Investigations

Detectives of the Criminal Investigation Section are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year working cases across St. Mary Parish.   

Detectives assist patrol deputies in investigations. Once a uniformed deputy takes a report, detectives may begin a follow-up investigation. The Criminal Investigation Section is responsible for processing and cataloging evidence at crime scenes. They interview victims, witnesses, and suspects as well as prepare affidavits for arrest warrants and search warrants along with other various investigation related duties.

In 2013, detectives investigated four homicides making an arrest or arrests in each case. The solved murder cases are a direct result of the efforts of detectives in collecting and corroborating evidence and submitting DNA evidence from the crime scenes to the Acadiana Crime Laboratory for analysis.

Information on suspected criminal activities or current investigations may be sent to detectives at crimewatch@stmaryso.com or by contacting the Criminal Investigation Section at 337-828-1960 or 985-384-1622.

Major Duval Arthur, III joined law enforcement in 2003 for the Berwick Police Department while also attending LSU. After graduating with a degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology, he accepted a position as a full-time law enforcement officer with the Berwick Police Department. In 2008, he accepted a position on the Narcotics Task Force at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office. In 2016, Arthur was promoted to the rank of Captain supervising the operations of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division. As a supervisor, he challenged the members of his division to continually strive to better themselves and the work they do in pursuing local drug dealers. In 2021, Arthur was promoted to the rank of Major, and Investigations was added under his command.

Major Arthur also serves as a team leader and sniper for the Sheriff's Office Special Response Team.