2 Min Read

Early Sheriffs

2 Min Read

Sheriff Lewis Orly — Sheriff Lewis Ory (1848–1903). One of the earliest unsettling events which took place in the beginning of the 20th Century was the untimely end to Sheriff Lewis Ory’s long years of service as sheriff. Ory and other peace officers were attempting to apprehend a known criminal when they were fired upon by a fugitive from Jefferson Parish. Sheriff Ory was hit in the temple and died at the scene. The Daily Picayune’s account of the event praised the sheriff for his bravery and declared that he was a well-known and respected man who would be missed by many in the law enforcement community.
His death is recorded as January 26, 1903.

Past Sheriffs of St. Charles Parish

Noel St. Martin 1854 – 1862
Louis Ranson 5/21/1866 – 6/7/1866
Victor Laurent 6/8/1866 – 7/13/1868
Morgan Morgans 7/14/1868 – 8/15/1871
J. G. Badenhouser 8/16/1871 – 8/24/1871
Morgan Morgans 8/25/1871 – 12/17/1872
George Essex 12/18/1872 – 9/30/1878
Owen McLeran 10/1/1878 – 11/4/1878
Clement Colly 11/5/1878 – 4/20/1880
B. Similion LaBranicke 4/21/1880 – 4/22/1883
Enest Lafitte 4/23/1883 – 9/7/1883
T. T. Baudouin 9/8/1883 – 4/21/1884
Lewis Ory 4/22/1884 – 1/27/1903
Anthony Madere 4/28/1903 – 4/15/1912
J. S. Paterson 4/26/1912 – 4/17/1916
Leon C. Vial, Sr. 4/18/1916 – 3/28/1939
Marie Keller Vial 3/28/1939 – 4/17/1940
Ralph Dubroca 4/18/1940 – 4/17/1944
Leon C. Vial, Jr. 4/18/1944 – 3/2/1964
John O. St. Amant 3/3/1964 – 6/30/1972
Julius B. Sellers, Jr. 7/1/1972 – 6/8/1976
John O. St. Amant 6/9/1976 – 11/29/1979
Herbert P. LeRay, Jr. 11/30/1979 – 6/30/1980
Charles C. Wilson 7/1/1980 – 6/30/1984
Johnny Marino 7/1/1984 – 6/30/1996
Greg Champagne 7/1/1996 – present

Anthony Madere — Anthony “Tony” Madere (right) replaced Ory and served as sheriff of St. Charles Parish from 1903 until 1912. Sheriff J. S. Paterson served a one-year term from 1912 to 1916. (Photo courtesy of David Pizzolato, Sr.)

Leon C. Vial, Sr. (1878–1939) — Leon C. Vial, Sr. (1878–1939).

This text is copyright © material by Marilyn Richoux, Joan Becnel and Suzanne Friloux, from St. Charles Parish, Louisiana: A Pictorial History, 2010.