I take great pride in being entrusted with the honor and responsibility that comes with leading the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
Randy Smith
SheriffMar11
Sheriff Smith presents State of the Agency Report
Sheriff Randy Smith invites St. Tammany Parish residents and business owners to view the 2021 St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office State of the Agency Report.
Jun01
Delinquent Tax List to Appear in St. Tammany Farmer, To Be Posted Online
In anticipation of its annual tax sale on July 10, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office will advertise the list of delinquent properties in the June 7 edition of The St. Tammany Farmer. The list will also be posted that same day under “Public Notices” on the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Website. The public notices include roughly 2,000 properties with taxes due to the parish and the municipalities of Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Pearl River, Abita…
May16
Slidell-area Man Crashes Trying to Flee Traffic Stop
A Slidell-area man crashed his vehicle after trying to flee from a traffic stop Monday (May 15) evening near Slidell. Shortly before 6:15 p.m. Monday, a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy initiated a traffic stop on a dark colored Infinity SUV for no license plate being displayed on I-10 near Slidell. The vehicle failed to immediately pull over and exited at Fremaux Avenue. The vehicle came to a stop on…
May16
Narcotics, Handgun Found During Friday Night Traffic Stop
A Covington-area man was arrested after a large amount of narcotics and a handgun were located in his vehicle following a traffic stop. At approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday (May 12), a deputy with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office attempted to make a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup that was observed with illegal window tint and no license plate light on Highway 59 just south of Abita Springs. Failing…
May15
Former STPSO Employee Arrested
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former employee after it was learned she was bringing illegal narcotics into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. Jail Investigators were provided information last week that a deputy had possibly brought contraband into the jail. That investigation uncovered a jail employee, Olivia Boswell (DOB 5/6/2004), had brought illegal narcotics into the facility. Boswell was immediately fired and arrested Monday (May 15) on…
Apr28
Pearl River man Arrested for Aggravated Arson
A Pearl River man was arrested for aggravated arson after he set a house on fire Friday (April 28) afternoon with his grandmother inside. At approximately 3:15 p.m. Friday, fire personnel were dispatched in reference to a residential structure fire in the Hickory area. An elderly woman was inside the home when the fire started, but she escaped and called 911 from a neighbor’s residence. Due to the suspicious nature…
Apr26
Body of Missing Slidell Man Located in Lake
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has recovered the body of a missing Slidell man. At approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday (April 25) a family member contacted the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office to report Rufus Johnson (DOB 2/27/49) as missing. Investigators learned Johnson had told the family member at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday morning that his vehicle would be left on the I-10 Twin Spans. They also learned the vehicle…
Apr26
Arrest Made After Cocaine Found in Hidden Compartment During Traffic Stop
A Nevada man was arrested after five kilograms of suspected cocaine was found inside a hidden compartment in his vehicle’s floorboard during a traffic stop Tuesday (April 26) night. At approximately 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, a deputy with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Highway Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop on a silver Kia Sorento for improper lane use on Interstate 10 just west of the Mississippi State Line. Contact was made with the…
Apr25
STPSO Investigating Fatal ATV Crash
Deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal ATV crash which occurred Tuesday (April 25) evening near Slidell. At approximately 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, STPSO deputies were dispatched to Lefleur Drive in reference to an ATV that had crashed into a tree. Through their investigation, responding deputies learned two female juveniles (both 14 years of age) were riding an ATV (four wheeler) on Lefleur Drive when they…
Apr20
STPSO Participating Saturday in National Drug Take Back Day
This Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will participate in a one-day collaborative effort with the Drug Enforcement Administration to remove unused and expired medications from homes and medicine cabinets. Bring your unused prescription drugs for disposal to the STPSO Law Enforcement Complex in Slidell, 300 Brownswitch Road, or the STPSO Law Enforcement Complex in Covington, 2070 Collins Blvd. Tablets, capsules,…
Apr14
Former STPSO Employee Arrested
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former employee after it was learned she was helping to bring illegal narcotics into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. As part of routine security measures, a jail employee was checking mail leaving the correctional center, when suspicious correspondence was discovered and Jail Investigators and detectives with the STPSO Major Crimes Unit were contacted to begin an investigation. That investigation uncovered…
Apr11
Slidell-area Student Arrested for Terrorizing
A Slidell-area student was arrested Tuesday (April 11) evening after he sent a threatening message to another student. Tuesday evening, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies were made aware of threatening messages sent via social media by a student of a Slidell-area junior high school. The juvenile sent messages threatening bodily harm towards a staff member at the school to another student using his personal social media account. Deputies identified the…
Apr10
Arrest Made for Terrorizing
A 19-year-old Slidell man has been arrested for terrorizing. Monday (April 10) morning, investigators with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office were made aware of a video that was posted on social media of a local man holding an AR-style rifle with the words “next school shooter in the making.” STPSO investigators identified the individual in the video as Landon Woodside (DOB 7/8/03) of Slidell, and he was taken into…
Apr06
Students Sustain Minor Injuries After Crash Involving Bus
Three students have been brought to a local hospital with minor injuries after the school bus they were riding on Thursday (April 6) morning was rear-ended. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Pearl Street near its intersection with Cane Avenue Thursday morning in reference to a vehicle crash involving a school bus loaded with children. The crash, which occurred only blocks away from two Slidell-area schools, occurred after…
Apr01
STPSO Investigating After Estranged Couple Found Dead Inside Slidell Home
Detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office are investigating after two individuals are found dead inside a Slidell-area residence following an apparent domestic incident. Shortly before 9:30 a.m. Saturday (April 1), STPSO deputies were dispatched to a home in the 1300 block of Belair Boulevard near Slidell after a child called 911 to report he found his parents unresponsive and bleeding. Responding deputies located a male and female deceased…
Mar31
UPDATE: Arrest Made in Lacombe Area Homicide
Karneilius Coleman (DOB 3/4/2003) of New Orleans was arrested Friday (March 31) in the New Orleans area with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Task Force and ATF. He was booked into the Orleans Parish Prison Friday afternoon as a fugitive on a warrant issued by Kenner Police for an unrelated crime. A hold was placed on him Friday evening by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office on…
Mar29
STPSO Investigating Following Shooting at Residence Near Slidell
Detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office are investigating following an incident at a residence on Lake Village Boulevard near Slidell. Shortly after 7:30 pm Tuesday (March 28) the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call with an open line from a residence in 300 block of Lake Village Boulevard. When deputies arrived on scene, they attempted to establish contact with someone inside the home. At which…
Mar20
Junior High Student Arrested for Terrorizing
A 13-year-old student at a Slidell-area junior high school was arrested over the weekend for terrorizing. School administrators at Clearwood Junior High School called the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Saturday (March 18) after they were made aware a student had posted images on social media depicting him hold a firearm while making threats directed at the school. The student was taken into custody that same day and was arrested…
Mar18
STPSO Investigating Lacombe-area Shooting
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting which occurred early Saturday (March 18) morning in Lacombe. At approximately 3 a.m. Saturday, a passerby called 911 to report a person lying in the roadway in the 61000 block of Brittany Drive. Responding deputies located an unresponsive black male subject with apparent gunshot wounds. Multiple shell casings were located nearby. The male was pronounced dead on the scene…
Mar14
STPSO’s Proactive Enforcement Unit Makes Arrests
The Proactive Enforcement Unit with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Division continues its work to combat illegal drug sales with increased patrols and investigative efforts in the known crime areas of the parish. Sheriff Randy Smith is pleased to announce these efforts are paying off with arrests. At approximately 3:20 p.m. Friday (March 10), detectives with the STPSO Proactive Enforcement Unit were patrolling the area of Alton near Slidell.…
Mar08
Sheriff Smith Breaks Ground on New 3rd District Station
Joined by his administrative staff, St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith broke ground Wednesday (March 8) on the new 3rd District Criminal Patrol Station. The site of the future 3rd District Station is located just off Highway 21 behind the Covington Target, which is near the exit/entrance ramps to Interstate 12. This location reinforces Sheriff Smith’s promise to improve response times, centralize manpower and increase visibility in the community as St. Tammany…
Feb28
STPSO Investigating Fatal Crash Near Pearl River
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash which occurred Tuesday (February 28) evening near Pearl River. Shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday, a GMC Terrain was being driven eastbound on Pine Street Extension when the driver attempted to turn left into a driveway in the 36000 block. The Terrain crossed into the path of a westbound motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead on the…
Feb22
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division on Parade this Weekend
This weekend members of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division will be on parade. Starting on Saturday, February 25, at noon, Krewe Du Pooch will be rolling on the Mandeville Lakefront. K-9 Echo, a 7-year-old female Labrador retriever, who is assigned to the Highway Enforcement Division as a narcotics detection canine, will be accompanying her handler, Detective James Kelley. Detective Kelley has served with the agency for 9…
Feb17
STPSO Deputies Involved in Incident with Suicidal Subject
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a suicidal subject, who ultimately took his own life at a residence near Slidell Wednesday evening. At approximately 5:45 p.m. Wednesday (February 15), STPSO deputies responded to a 911 call received from a Slidell resident. During the course of the telephone call, the man informed the dispatcher he was armed with a firearm and voiced suicidal ideations. Responding deputies located the man sitting…
Feb16
Sheriff Smith Names 2022 STPSO Deputy of the Year
Sheriff Randy Smith has named the 2022 St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year – Deputy Michael Helbach. Deputy Helbach has served the citizens of St. Tammany Parish for the past 17 years. He began his career in 2005 shortly after graduating from Slidell High School. After having a successful career in Corrections, Deputy Helbach transferred to Criminal Patrol in 2018, and eventually to our Special Operations Division…
Feb15
Joint Operation Between STPSO and State Police Results in Drug Arrests
It wasn’t a happy Valentine’s Day for the players in a Lacombe-area drug operation thanks to the work of detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Division and the Louisiana State Police Narcotics/Violent Crimes Task Force (Region 1). However, it was a clear win for St. Tammany residents as a large cache of illegal narcotics, stolen guns and drug proceeds was taken off the streets and three big players…
Feb13
STPSO Detectives Recover Stolen Tools, Make Arrests
Working together with patrol deputies, detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office have recovered more than $10,000 worth of tools stolen from residences in the Lee Road and Million Dollar Road area. Three residents reported tools stolen from outbuildings on their property over the past two weeks, and after receiving an anonymous tip about some of the tools being sold over social media, STPSO patrol deputies and STPSO detectives…
Feb10
Student Arrested After Bringing Airsoft Gun on School Bus
A junior high school student has been arrested after he brought an airsoft gun on a school bus Friday (February 10) morning. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office was contacted after a citizen observed a student at a bus stop with what appeared to be a gun. With the help of the St. Tammany Parish Public School System, deputies were able to identify and locate the bus involved. Deputies met…
Feb09
Wanted Individual Taken Into Custody Despite Jumping Into a Bayou
You can run; you can hide; you can even attempt to swim across a bayou, but what you can’t do is get away from St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies. Wednesday (February 8) afternoon, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies and detectives assisted the U.S. Marshal’s Service in apprehending a wanted individual. Warrants were issued for the arrest of Ernest Day (DOB 11/12/1984) when he failed to show up for court in…
Feb08
Extra STPSO Deputies Patrolling, Looking for Drunk Drivers During Mardi Gras
Sheriff Randy Smith wants to make sure everyone remains safe this Carnival season. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is joining other local law enforcement agencies in a coordinated effort to reduce impaired driving during the Carnival season by participating in the special Mardi Gras Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. As part of the state-wide campaign, which runs February 10 through February 21 and is funded by the Louisiana Highway…
Feb07
Woman Driving Old School Bus Takes STPSO Deputies on Pursuit
A Florida woman who was driving an old, repurposed school bus is in custody after a pursuit with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies Tuesday (Feb. 7) morning. Just before 6 a.m. Tuesday, STPSO deputies received a call from employees of a gas station in the 2200 block of Florida Street in Mandeville after a woman came into the store carrying a blowtorch and said she was looking for the local…
Jan31
Teen Arrested After Pointing Air Soft Gun at School Bus
A 16-year-old Bush boy has been arrested after he pointed an air-soft gun at a school bus Tuesday (January 31) afternoon. A bus driver was bringing students home on Watts Thomas Road in Bush when she observed the teen pointing what appeared to be a firearm at the bus. Fearing for the safety of the children in her care, the driver quickly left the area and called 911. Responding St.…
Jan30
Arrests Made Following Slidell-area Shooting
Four Slidell-area residents have been arrested following a shooting which occurred over the weekend. Saturday (January 28), morning deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office were notified of an investigation being conducted by detectives with the Slidell Police Department regarding a shooting which resulted in a Slidell-area man being hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. During their investigation, SPD detectives determined the shooting occurred just outside of their city limits, at…
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Jan23
Fentanyl-laced Marijuana, Other Drugs and Assault Rifle Found During Traffic Stop
After St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s detectives located fentanyl-laced marijuana during a traffic stop, Sheriff Randy Smith is reiterating his warning to residents the only safe drugs are those prescribed by a doctor or purchased at a pharmacy. At approximately 8:30 p.m. Friday, STPSO Narcotics detectives were patrolling the area of the Abita Nursery Subdivision in Covington when they observed a purple Dodge Challenger driving erratically through the neighborhood and initiated a…
Jan19
Sheriff Smith releases STPSO Crime Stats for 2022
Sheriff Randy Smith has released the 2022 crime statistics for unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, noting that the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to report a clearance rate for both violent and non-violent crimes that is much higher than the national average. Overall violent crime is down in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, with 983 violent crimes reported in 2022 compared to 1,063 reported in 2021. The clearance rate for those…
Jan16
UPDATE – Missing Boater’s Body Located
Members of the STPSO Marine Division located the body of missing boater, Billy Coile, Monday (Jan 16) afternoon approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore near Green Point. The body has been turned over to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, who will make a determination on the cause and manner of death. Sheriff Randy Smith offers his condolences to Coile’s family and his sincere appreciation to the STPSO Marine Division,…
Jan12
Arrest Made in Wednesday Shooting Incident
A Covington-area man was arrested late Wednesday (Jan. 11) night in connection with a shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon near the Abita Nursery Subdivision. STPSO deputies were dispatched to the area after a man called 911 to report he had been shot while driving near the intersection of Highway 36 and Nursery Street. Through their investigation, STPSO detectives learned Jacolby Howard (DOB 6/13/2002) was a passenger in another vehicle which…
Jan11
STPSO Investigating Shooting Near Abita Springs
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting, which occurred Wednesday (Jan. 11) afternoon near the intersection of Nursery Street and Highway 36 near Abita Springs. One victim has been transported by ambulance to a local hospital. His injuries are unknown at this time. The incident is still under investigation, and more information will be provided when it becomes available. Anyone with information about the incident is asked…
Jan08
STPSO Marine Division Searches for Missing Boater
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Marine Division spent much of Sunday (Jan. 8) searching the waters of Lake Pontchartrain for a missing boater. At approximately 8:30 a.m. Sunday the Causeway Police Department contacted the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office after a 12-14 foot Boston Whaler boat was found floating under the bridge near the 23-mile marker. The boat was unoccupied. The registered owner of the boat told deputies a friend,…
Jan03
Weapons, Drugs Found While Investigating Suspicious Vehicle
Deputy Eddie Sylve and Deputy Matthew Schenck are being commended by Sheriff Randy Smith after they located illegal drugs and weapons while investigating a suspicious vehicle. Illegal narcotics and weapons were located after two alert St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies observed a suspicious vehicle while conducting a routine patrol over the holiday weekend. At approximately 10 p.m. on December 30, two deputies from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office…
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