St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith has tendered his resignation.
Smith pleaded guilty to second degree battery, a felony, and disturbing the peace.
Washington/St. Tammany District Attorney Collin Sims said if Smith successfully completes an 18-month treatment program, the judge may entertain a motion to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor, but until then, Smith will be considered a convicted felon.
The resignation took effect at 1 p.m.
Robert Couvillon, a blogger and social media personality, said Smith attacked him from behind at Keith Young's Steakhouse late last month, injuring him badly enough to put Couvillon in the hospital. According to Sims, Couvillon suffered a concussion and dental injuries.
On Wednesday, Couvillon said he approved of the plea deal.
"Justice has been served for the residents of St. Tammany Parish and the state of Louisiana, " Couvillon said during a press gaggle at the St. Tammany Parish Courthouse. "I just want to give thanks to three agencies: the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, the (Louisiana) Attorney General's Office, and the District Attorney's Office under Collin Sims and his team. They all did a phenomenal job."
Couvillon could still file a civil suit, but he did not say if he would.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also praised the plea agreement.
“I believe the plea agreement in this matter is fair and reasonable and I support the District Attorney," Murrill said in a statement. "Sheriff Smith is taking responsibility for his actions and focusing on his sobriety. He is also doing what is right for the department and parish.”
After Smith announced his resignation, St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper offered his best wishes to Smith.
"I want to thank Randy for his years of service as both Sheriff and Slidell Police Chief and wish him and his family well," Cooper said. "While these circumstances are unfortunate, I respect his decision to resign and believe it allows our community to move forward."
Smith, without naming names, said he responded badly to criticism of him, and what he said was personal attacks on his family.
The sheriff's office released Smith's letter of resignation:
After 40 years in law enforcement serving the citizens of St. Tammany Parish, I am announcing my retirement as Sheriff of St. Tammany Parish.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve this community. Prior to being elected Sheriff, I served as Chief of Police for the City of Slidell for six years. For more than a decade as your Sheriff, my focus has always been on providing the highest quality of public service while ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens.
During my tenure, we have achieved many accomplishments together. We improved pay and benefits for our deputies, invested in advanced equipment and training, maintained one of the lowest crime rates in more than a decade, and achieved a 95% case clearance rate. We expanded to four patrol districts, increased manpower, improved response times, and enhanced visibility throughout our growing parish. We established a Crisis Intervention Team, strengthened our Criminal Narcotics Division, expanded community outreach efforts, enhanced technology across the agency, and implemented the School Resource Officer Program.
I am proud to leave this agency stronger than when I was elected. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
After much thought and consideration, I believe retiring at this time is in the best interest of the agency, my family, and the citizens of St. Tammany Parish. Effective immediately, Deputy Chief Bret Ibert is promoted to Chief Criminal Deputy, Chief Civil Deputy and Second in Command. In accordance with state law and agency protocol, Chief Deputy Ibert will serve as Interim Sheriff until a new Sheriff is elected.
My final day as Sheriff will be June 24, 2026 at 1pm.
Thank you for the trust and support you have given me throughout my career. Serving the people of St. Tammany Parish has been the greatest honor of my professional life.
