Image Courtesy of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
The former long-time sheriff of Terrebonne Parish, Jerry Larpenter, has died. The sheriff’s office says Larpenter passed away peacefully on Wednesday. Larpenter was first elected in 1985 and served 21 years, he stepped away for one-term, and one was re-elected again in 2011 and 2015. He served as sheriff for about 30 years before current Sheriff Timothy Soignet replaced him in 2020.
“I know I had big shoes to fill,” Soignet said. “The man loved Terrebonne Parish, he loved America, and we had certain things in common, he was a veteran and I was a veteran, so there were always inside jokes in him begin in the Air Force and I was in the Marine Corp,” said Soignet.
Following his service in the Air Force, Larpenter was hired as a patrolman in the 1970s by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Soignet says Larpenter served the people of Terrebonne Parish with honor and dedication for close to 40 years.
“One thing about anybody that served in law enforcement and as long as he did, the people that served before us laid the foundation and we always have the deep appreciation for the foundation they laid so we can continue to build upon,” Soignet said.
During his time as sheriff, Larpenter established a full-time K-9 team, purchased state of the art communications equipment, body cameras and bulletproof vests. Soignet says Larpenter was known for his huge personality and his love of Terrebonne Parish.
“He always had a deep concern for the parish and to me that’s what we want of anybody that’s in public service, love the people you serve and love the area that you serve,” Soignet said.
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