By: Rob Masson | fox8live.com | June 25, 2026
COVINGTON, La. (WVUE) – The man now in charge of the sheriff’s office, Bret Ibert, was the office’s long-time operations chief. He was sworn in Wednesday afternoon, pledging in a statement to provide stability, support and leadership.
His swearing in comes four weeks since patrons at Keith Young’s Steakhouse witnessed now-former St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith attack a man in the restaurant lounge.
Ibert, a 30-year veteran of the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office, will succeed Smith on an interim basis.
“[Ibert is] an extremely professional person in law enforcement and earned the respect of his peers,” said St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper.
Ibert’s term as interim sheriff will only last a few months.
“Since there’s more than a year left in his term of office, the governor will call a special election,” said Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Former New Orleans Police Chief Ronal Serpas and interim Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau tell Fox 8 they may qualify to run.
Ibert said he will do everything within his power to support a professional transparent and seamless transition for whoever is elected new sheriff.
In late May, one witness told Fox 8 that Randy Smith grabbed Bobby Couvillion around the neck, “put him in a headlock, brought him out of his chair and went on the floor and rolled around.”
Smith resigned on June 24 after a career leading the sheriff’s office and the Slidell police force.
“Pretty extraordinary, but the last sheriff of St. Tammany is serving a life prison term right now,’ said Dillard political analyst Dr. Robert Collins.
Local criminal justice experts said Smith’s guilty plea was inevitable.
“That case wasn’t a subjective case. It was based on video evidence, witness testimony and medical records,“ said Goyeneche.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission said timing is everything in regard to Randy Smith’s resignation decision and his decision to accept the plea deal.
“If the sheriff had stayed in place, it would’ve been a constant reminder that he was treating himself differently than the men and women that he oversees,” said Goyeneche.