On December 20, 1803, France formally transferred the Louisiana territory to the United States and the American flag at last flew over Louisiana and the pioneer settlers of the Catholic Church Parish of Ascension. A year later, on December 4, 1804, the Orleans Territory was divided into twelve counties. The county of Acadia, comprised of the parishes of Ascension and St. James, was created. These parishes were known as the First and Second Acadian Coast. In 1805, the first county officials were named and Gaspar Dubuys was appointed the first district sheriff. In 1807, the Orleans territory was sub-divided into nineteen parishes with Ascension becoming one of the original parishes of Louisiana. The office of county judge was abolished and the office of parish judge was created. This official, Edward Turner, became ex-officio judge of probate, clerk, sheriff and notary for the parish of Ascension.

The Office of Parish Sheriff was created on March 16, 1810. It was an appointed office and Walter Mears served as the first exclusive Sheriff for Ascension. He served four years, 1811-1816. Through the years, the population of the parish grew steadily as more people and more cultures discovered the bountiful hunting and fishing and rich farm lands available to support their families in Ascension Parish. A population of 2,219 in 1810 grew to 23,887 in 1910. Many fine men dealt with the increase in population and the ever-increasing demand for effective law enforcement during these formative years with several of them having extended years of service and multiple terms in office. Hubert Treille served 19 year tenure, starting in 1827, while John Comstock served 13 year tenure, beginning in 1846. Peter Jones served 12 years, starting in 1876 and Sam St. Martin served 17 years, starting in 1891. Sheriff Edward Hanson, whose 12-year term in office began in 1908, served as Chief Deputy for 9 years under Sheriff Sam St. Martin, along with serving as President of the Lafourche Levee Board before becoming Sheriff.

The so called “modern era” for the parish, as well as for its sheriff’s department, began with the election of a man who ran for the office almost as an afterthought. Hickley Waguespack’s election in 1948 marked a revolutionary change in the manner in which the department was organized. Even though it had grown considerably, Ascension was still designated as a rural parish and the issues facing law enforcement were still in many ways elementary. It was big news, for example, when in 1954, Sheriff Waguespack gave the directive that all deputies would dress in uniform as a way to help professionalize the department’s image. During his 24 year tenure, Sheriff Waguespack increased his staff from a few deputies to a well trained force of more than 50 law enforcement professionals. He was introduced to the political world in the midst of corruption developed during the “Old Regime”, when the parish was infested with organized crime and rampant gambling. By 1949, he had effectively shut down the gambling rings, significantly curbed crime in the parish, and created an atmosphere of safety among parish citizens. It was evident to all that there was a “new sheriff in town”, a fact that led Hickley to six subsequent reelections. Perhaps his greatest achievement came when Waguespack exhibited supreme management and operational abilities in the handling of the federally mandated desegregation laws in the early 1960s. His was one of the few parishes to handle this volatile time in American history with a minimum of disruptions and virtually no violence. He was so adept at handling race relations that a feature article was done on him in “Ebony” magazine. As his reputation grew, so did his capability. These skills proved beneficial in promoting a climate of industrial and economic growth in the parish. Richard Coriell became Sheriff in 1972, after serving as Chief Deputy for 24 years under Sheriff Waguespack. Sheriff Coriell chose to retire in 1974, after serving 26 years in law enforcement. Prior to his law enforcement career, Sheriff Coriell worked with the Louisiana Department of Highways for approximately 20 years and four years with the Federal Housing Authority.

Through much of the remarkable career of Sheriff Tridico, his right hand man, and his most promising protégé, was his Chief Deputy Jeffrey Wiley. Jeff Wiley, first elected in 1996, is currently serving his fifth term as Sheriff. If following one legend is considered a daunting task, then following two local legends could have been overwhelming, but the people of Ascension once again proved their collective wisdom in choosing Sheriff Wiley. Few could have known in 1996, how insightful, intellectual, imaginative, and impressive he would be in the performance of his duties. During the fastest and largest growth period ever experienced in the parish, with cut backs and deficit spending by the federal government, and with severe blows to the parish’s economic support engine (the decline of the petrochemical industry in our area) Sheriff Wiley has impressed even his most ardent detractors. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has become one of the most technologically savvy and advanced departments in the state. Nationally recognized for its organization, communication, and crime fighting systems and expertise, Sheriff Wiley and his department have been recognized as leaders in the world of law enforcement, as well as in the war on terror. Ascension Parish is considered “The Model” for other local law enforcement to study and to learn from its leadership. Sheriff Wiley led the department through the harrowing experience of September 11, 2001 and led the efforts for interoperability among local, state and federal agencies throughout Louisiana. As President of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, Sheriff Wiley took charge of the sheriff’s statewide law enforcement response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Sheriff Bobby Webre was appointed sheriff upon the early retirement of Sheriff Jeff Wiley on January 3, 2019. Sheriff Webre subsequently was elected to the office of sheriff on October 12, 2019. Not wasting anytime after being appointed, Sheriff Webre created the standards and accountability unit which would take the office to new heights going through the CALEA accreditation process. He also brought back the K-9 section after 30 years and has made several advancements to the sheriff’s office in his first two years.