Overview
- Randy Smith, who faced felony battery and disturbing-the-peace charges tied to a May 29 restaurant incident, announced his resignation or retirement and stepped down from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
- Chief Deputy Jeff Boehm abruptly resigned from his role two weeks after Smith turned himself in to Tangipahoa Parish jail, saying his departure was in the agency’s best interest.
- The sheriff’s office named Chief Deputy Bret Ibert as interim sheriff and promoted George Cox to chief deputy to lead day-to-day operations until a special election fills the remainder of Smith’s term.
- Local reporting has said Smith’s exit may be part of a plea deal, but that claim comes from unnamed sources and has not been confirmed by prosecutors or court filings.
- The leadership turnover follows mounting public pressure and raises questions about trust, daily policing continuity, and the legal path forward for the criminal charges against the former sheriff.