Sheriff Craig Webre reported Chief Deputy Todd Diaz has announced his retirement after a 37-year career with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Webre has also announced the promotion of Major Roy Gros as the new Chief Deputy. Gros, who currently serves as Criminal Department Head, will assume the post of Chief Deputy on July 1, 2020.

“Chief Diaz has spent his entire career working for this agency and has never wavered in his commitment and dedication to people of Lafourche Parish,” said Sheriff Webre. “He has been a proponent of the many advancements made by the agency over the years and truly leads by example. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with Todd and to know that he has never wavered in his loyalty and dedication to the people of Lafourche Parish.”

Diaz began his career with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1983 at the age of 18. He worked the patrol division in the South Lafourche area for approximately six years. In 1990, he became a detective and worked in investigations until his promotion to Patrol Sergeant two years later. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain of Patrol, a position he held for eight years. He later served as Captain of the Investigations Division before his promotion to Major in 2006 where he served as Criminal Department Head for eight years. He was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2014 following the retirement of former Chief Deputy Robert “Bud” Dill IV.

Among his many accomplishments and accolades, Diaz was among the first group of LPSO deputies to graduate from the Nicholls State University college program. In 2002, he was awarded the Sheriff’s Star, considered one of the highest honors at LPSO. While serving as Patrol Captain in 2003, he was awarded the prestigious J. Standard Baker Award for Highway Safety by the National Sheriffs’ Association for his pioneering work in the area of traffic safety.

Diaz’s final day at LPSO will be June 30, 2020. Gros will replace Diaz as Chief Deputy beginning on July 1, 2020, which will also begin Sheriff Webre’s 8th term of office and 29th year as Sheriff of Lafourche Parish.

As a lifelong resident of Lafourche Parish, Roy Gros has served 30 years with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is a 1986 graduate of Central Lafourche High School and served in the U.S. Army prior to joining LPSO in 1990. He has served in many areas throughout the agency and held many supervisory positions throughout his career. He received his promotion to Major in 2014 and has served as head of the Civil Department and, most recently, the Criminal Department. Gros has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Nicholls State University, and in 2018, Gros graduated from the first class ever of the National Command and Staff College.

On Sunday evening, June 14, while off duty, Gros was traveling with his wife, Andre, on LA Highway 182 when he came upon a vehicle which had crashed into the marsh. Gros stopped, and upon learning the driver was still in the vehicle, he walked into the marsh and retrieved the driver from the vehicle with help of EMTs who had arrived on scene.

“Unfortunately, the driver had suffered fatal injuries, but this incident is the most recent that illustrates Gros’ dedication to public service,” said Sheriff Webre. “As a deputy, we are never truly ‘off duty,’ and Gros will help lead our agency by example of selfless service. As we wish Chief Diaz good luck in his retirement, we look forward to this next chapter with Chief Gros.”