My Introduction to You

My name is Tim Soignet and I am formally announcing my candidacy for Sheriff of Terrebonne Parish.  I would like to use this opportunity to introduce myself to the people of Terrebonne Parish.

I am 52 years old, and I live in Bourg with my wife of 11 years, Melanie, who is a registered nurse at Terrebonne General Medical Center. Together we've been blessed with three children: Haley, Aaron, and Jessie; and two grandchildren Bryson and Marie. 

I proudly served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. Upon my return from the Gulf War, I became a Marine Corps Drill Instructor and had the responsibility of taking young men and making them into Marines. After 14 years of service as an enlisted Marine, I was commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer. I led and trained Marines stateside and abroad. 

After retiring from the Marine Corps in March of 2006, I immediately joined the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office where I worked as a Patrolman, Field Training Officer, Honor Guard and SWAT Team member; In 2008, I was given the rewarding opportunity to work at the Police Academy taking the responsibility of training future police officers. 

In 2012, I took charge of the Police Academy as its Director, SWAT Team Commander, and Honor Guard Commander. In this position, I embraced the responsibility of developing future leaders for Terrebonne Parish. I also recognized the need for protecting the children of Terrebonne Parish while they are at school. In an effort to make our schools safer, I worked on developing and implementing critical incident training (Active Shooter) for school teachers and administrative staff throughout the parish. I also implemented and provided critical incident training for numerous churches and workplaces throughout the area in an effort to help the parents of our children, our future leaders, have a safe environment as well. The safety of every citizen in our parish is of utmost importance to me and is something that I will continue to focus on as Sheriff of Terrebonne Parish. 

During my time as director of the Police Academy, I would often explain to the cadets the many dangers of police work and the difficult circumstances that go along with it. Many times, I would emphasize to them that the most important part of their day as officers is when they are able to make it home safe to their families at the end of each shift. It is a personal belief of mine that a police officer needs a purpose each day to remind them to not be complacent, and their families are that purpose. I have trained these new officers that the badge doesn’t symbolize power, but rather, it symbolizes a responsibility to the people. I promised these officers that I would continue to remind them of this. I intend on keeping that promise!

In December of 2018, I was promoted to Uniform Commander in charge of the patrolmen that protect this parish. In this capacity, I have had the privilege of overseeing many of the very same police officers that I In the Marine Corps, I learned the values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. I have lived by these values by giving back to my community had the responsibility to train in the Police Academy. It has been so rewarding to watch these men and women blossom into leaders and problem solvers who will become force multipliers for the security of Terrebonne Parish and serving a cause much higher than myself. I am a Toys for Tots coordinator for Terrebonne Parish. I have had the opportunity to work countless hours with my mentor, who is also a retired Marine and with some of the most generous volunteers who share the same value system serving the parish. They stand beside me year after year, working tirelessly in the mission of providing toys for children in need. I am also a proud member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion, and Brothers in Blue which are all made up of many other men and women who share the same value system that I live by.

All great responsibilities come with sacrifice when serving a cause higher than yourself. This is a lesson I have learned all too well while serving abroad in the Marine Corps, and a lesson I have continued to learn with the Sheriff’s Office. I recently had to resign from Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office in order to run for Sheriff. This was not a decision that I take lightly, but I feel that I need to do this for a higher cause. 

I have had the rewarding and unique responsibility of making United States Marines and leading them for the future of our great nation, and I have had the rewarding and unique responsibility of making Police Officers. I have proudly served my country for 35 years, and I now humbly ask you for the responsibility to continue to serve and lead our Law Enforcement Officers into the future for our great Parish! I believe that if I am good enough to make them, I will be good enough to lead them! 

On October 12, 2019 let your voice be heard. YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Thank You for your time and consideration. 

- Tim