By ROBIN SHANNON
L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE — A trio of long-time deputies of the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office recently received promotions within the department, Sheriff Greg Champagne announced Friday.

Fred Oubre, a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, has been promoted to major in the patrol division. Oubre had been overseeing the day-to-day operations of the patrol department as a captain.

Oubre joined the force in 1977 as an undercover narcotics agent before transferring to the patrol division. He left the Sheriff’s Office in 1979 to work in the petroleum field, but returned in 1986 to resume his post. Oubre lives in St. Rose with his wife Shoron and two children, Mandi and Clint.

Gilbert Schmidt, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 24 years, has been promoted to Captain in the patrol division. Schmidt has oversight over the patrol, traffic, marine, canine, vehicle maintenance and reserve divisions.

Schmidt started with the Sheriff’s Office in 1981 in the patrol division, left in 1984 to work in the petrochemical industry, and returned a year later to his original post. He also serves as constable for District 3 in St. Charles Parish.

Schmidt lives in Destrehan with his wife Mary and their three kids, Kristen, Jonathan and Gil III.

Alvin Robinson, who has worked 12 years on the force in the department of corrections, has also been promoted to captain. Robinson is the assistant warden at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility in Killona and oversees four shift commanders at the jail.

Robinson started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1997 as a deputy in the corrections department. He resides in St. Rose, where he was born and raised, and has two children, Anaya and Alvin IV.

“All three officers have demonstrated command leadership over many years, and I am confident they will perform in an exemplary manner,” said Champagne.