(part two of a three part series)

No. 11 – John Webre served 1876–1877. He was a Republican and was the first black sheriff ever elected. He was voted into office to complete the term of Sheriff Cambre. The population of St. John the Baptist Parish in 1870 was 2,718 white and 4,044 black. In 1870, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution gave all African Americans the right to vote. Population and the right to vote were major factors in the election.

No. 12 – Joseph T. Burchard served June 1877–1878.

No. 13 – John Webre served November 1878–1896. John Webre was once again elected sheriff. At the end of his term, a white man, William Hart, ran against him. The election was so heated the governor of Louisiana sent in the militia to keep peace and supervise the counting of the ballots. All schools were closed, and children and women were not allowed on the streets. A fight broke out, and Charles Parent was killed. William Hart was declared the winner.

No. 14 – William J. Hart served 1896–1900. Sheriff Hart was a Democrat, and everyone called him Billy. In November, Sheriff Hart escaped an assassination attempt. While driving his horse and buggy in front of the Sunnyside Plantation, someone shot at him at close range but missed. Sheriff Hart returned fire but missed, and no one was ever arrested.

No. 15 – Paul Berthelot served from 1900–1916. In 1896, Berthelot opened a small dry goods store

and then in 1902 opened a new and larger store. He held office for 16 years.

No. 16 – William J. Hart served from 1916–1920. Hart ran again after losing to Paul Berthelot in 1900. This time he won and become sheriff for a second time. Sheriff Hart died while holding office on Aug. 20, 192,0 and by law the coroner took over the office.

No. 17 – Dr. E.P. Feucht served in 1920. Dr. Feucht became sheriff by law after the death of Sheriff Hart. Dr. Feucht’s full name was Etienne Paul Feucht. Dr. Feucht was born on July 7, 1879, in Lyon, France. He left France when he was 10 years old to come to live in the United States with his uncle, who was a priest at St. Peter Church in Reserve. Dr. Feucht married Laure Maurin in 1903. He was elected coroner in 1920 and served the parish until 1936. He died on July 19, 1951, after having an operation.

No. 18 – Emile A. Picore served from 1920–1928. Picore and William B. Hart, not the former sheriff, both ran for sheriff, and Picore won by only seven votes. Hart contested the election; the courts annulled the election and ordered another be held. After all the votes were counted in the second election, Picore won the election by 37 votes.

No. 19 – Willie Duhe served 1928–1941. Sheriff Duhe was a Democrat and was born in St. John the Baptist Parish on Sept. 16, 1887.

He married Leonie Millet. While serving as sheriff, he was attacked by a man with a rice knife and

was forced to shoot and kill him. Close to the end of his term in office, Sheriff Duhe resigned on

Feb. 5, 1941. Once again by law, the coroner, Dr. William F. Giullotta, took over the office as sheriff. Sheriff Duhe died in November 1941 of an heart attack while watching a baseball game, with his son up to bat.

No. 20 – Dr. William F. Giullotta, coroner of St. John Parish, served as sheriff Feb. 15, 1941–Aug. 3, 1941. He served as sheriff until an election was held and Percy D. Hebert was elected.

(third part to be published on June 20)

Wayne Norwood is a lieutenant with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Department and owner and operator of the Louisiana Treasures Museum.