2023-0180
Title
In Recognition: Sheriff Gregory C. Champagne, National Sheriff's Association President
Body
The Parish of St. Charles
July 31, 2023
IN RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Sheriff Gregory C. Champagne is currently serving his seventh term as sheriff of St. Charles Parish; he is the longest-tenured sheriff in the parish’s history, with twenty-seven years of service; and,
WHEREAS, Sheriff Champagne was born and raised in St. Charles Parish; he graduated from Hahnville High School and received a bachelor’s degree in government from Nicholls State University in 1979 and a juris doctorate from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1982; and,
WHEREAS, following law school, Sheriff Champagne served as an assistant district attorney in St. Charles Parish; during his fourteen-year tenure, he earned a reputation as a tough but fair prosecutor with a 94% conviction rate; he tried numerous felony jury trials including eight homicide trials, all of which resulted in convictions; and,
WHEREAS, Sheriff Champagne was first elected sheriff of St. Charles Parish in 1995; he was re-elected without opposition in 1999, with 81% of the votes in 2003, and with 83% of the votes in 2007; he ran without opposition in three-consecutive elections from 2011 and 2019; and,
WHEREAS, Sheriff Champagne graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on two occasions; first, he completed the FBI’s Law Institute for Prosecutors, and more recently, he graduated from the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Program; and,
WHEREAS, Sheriff Champagne was installed for a second term as president of the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) in June; he previously served as president of the NSA in 2016-2017; for the past twenty years, he has chaired the NSA Legal Affairs Committee, which analyzes proposed congressional legislation and files amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court on landmark criminal justice issues affecting sheriffs nationwide; and,
WHEREAS, Sheriff Champagne was named Louisiana Sheriff of the Year by the Louisiana Crime Victim’s Coalition in 2003; he was the first sheriff of St. Charles Parish to serve as President of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association in 2007-2008; he regularly testifies before the Louisiana Legislature on important criminal justice issues on behalf of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and serves on the Louisiana State Law Institute’s Criminal Justice Committee, analyzing criminal justice issues for the legislature; and,
WHEREAS, outside of his professional life, Greg has shared over forty-one years of marriage with his wife, Alice Landry Champagne; his daughter, Rochelle C. Fahrig, is an assistant district attorney, and his son, Greg Champagne, Jr., is a deputy tax assessor; he also has five grandsons; and,
WHEREAS, Sheriff Champagne is a genuine servant of the community as a long time member and past-president of the Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish, a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, and Knights of Columbus Council 2409; he is most deserving of the highest recognition for his dedication to law enforcement and the protection of St. Charles Parish and the State of Louisiana.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, WE THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, do hereby commend Sheriff Champagne on his second term as President of the National Sheriff’s Association and extend sincerest wishes that he continue to prosper in all of his endeavors.
SHERIFF GREGORY C. CHAMPAGNE
SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT
NATIONAL SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION
“PARISH OF PLENTY”
created in 1807 from the county of the
“German Coast”, a parish of
unprecedented economic and social
development, known for its
hospitality, rural living and sporting
opportunities… with the added
distinction of being located
on both sides of the
Mighty Mississippi River.