Erath mourns loss of Police Chief Hebert

ERATH — Perhaps the best confirmation of a person’s character is when that person is fully embraced by a small town that is not his or her own.
Gerald Hebert was not a native of Erath, but the people of the town adopted him as one of their own. They are now mourning the loss of Hebert, who served as Erath Chief of Police since Jan. 1, 2007.
Hebert passed away Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 59.
“It’s rough,” Erath Mayor John Earl LeBlanc said Monday morning. “It’s really rough. Gerald was such a good person.
“He loved Erath and loved what he did.”
Why he loved it so much is simple, as far as Erath Councilman Robert Vincent is concerned.
“Gerald was a good man with a big heart,” Vincent said. “He loved this community and the honor of serving as Chief of Police of Erath. He worked hard everyday to keep our community safe for all residents, but especially our children. As we grieve his passing, we should all strive to live by his example of service to others. He will be missed by many.”
Nowhere was that more evident than with Hebert’s involvement with the town’s schools and the safety of the students. Not only did Hebert have officers on duty around the schools, he personally went out to make sure students arrived and left school safely.
“That was something very important to him,” LeBlanc said.
Leaders at the schools knew Hebert’s importance to their respective campuses.
“Chief Gerald was such an asset to our school,” Dozier Elementary Principal Karla Toups said. “He was involved with Dozier Elementary assisting us with whatever was at hand. The community, our schools, our DES faculty and staff and students will definitely miss him. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.”
Erath High Principal Marc Turner echoed that same sentiment.
“Chief Gerald was a common visitor on this campus and always had a smile for the students and faculty,” Turner said. “He was genuine and warm, and I know he will be missed. We send prayers for his family during this sad and emotional time.”
Like many, former Erath Middle Principal Lynn Moss, who worked with Hebert for many years, said she was sad to hear the news. She, too, offered prayers for his family.
“He was surely dedicated to our town,” Moss said, “especially our school community.”
Shantelle Villejoin Landry, whose son went to Dozier Elementary and now attends Erath Middle, is among the school community dealing with Hebert’s loss.
“So very sad finding out about the passing of Erath’s police Chief, Gerald,” Landry said. “He welcomed our children by name every morning in the drop off line at Dozier. He was so kind and caring, and will definitely be missed by all of the community.”
Members of the law enforcement community are feeling the loss.
“The law enforcement community is deeply saddened by the news of losing our Chief of Police in Erath,” Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon said. “This loss is especially hard for both the Colonel and I because Gerald served as a Vermilion Parish Reserve Deputy before he ran and won for Chief of Police in Erath, and more importantly he was a close friend to both of us and many VPSO deputies.”
Col. Kirk Frith said the loss of Hebert ripples through so many aspects of both his professional and personal life.
“I will miss my dear friend and the conversations we had over the years ranging from law enforcement discussions to politics and personal conversations,” Frith said. “Gerald was a true policeman with a desire to serve his fellow man. It showed during the many years of his volunteer service to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and during his tenure as the Chief of Police for Erath. His devotion and love for his community was evidenced by his daily morning watch over the schools in Erath, his devotion to the annual fourth of July celebration, his service to the people of Erath and the many improvements he brought to the Erath Police Department. Rest in peace my dear friend.”
Guy Nerren, who serves as assistant police chief in Maurice as well as a member of the Erath council, said he will remember Hebert as someone who gave his all to the community.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and officers,” Nerren said. “We will reflect back on his years of service to this great community.
“May he rest in peace.”
Bart Bouillion is a retired Louisiana State Policeman, who served in the Marines and also worked for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office. He posted on social media that Hebert is a credit to the community.
“Erath Chief of Police Gerald Hebert was such a committed person to our great town and community,” Bouillion said. “He always had a smile on his face and his presence was always there. I for one saw him regularly in kid drop off at the middle school and Dozier. I enjoyed the chat or handshake from the window at times. I feel so sorry for his family, children, grandchildren, and friends.
“God has another Angel (Peacemaker) in Heaven.”