Sheriff Marc Mashaw
Marc Mashaw was sworn in as Sheriff of Ouachita Parish on July 1, 2024, following more than three decades of dedicated service to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Mashaw began his law enforcement career in 1987 as a Reserve Deputy and was sworn in as a full-time deputy in October 1989. Since that time, he has built a career defined by leadership, experience, and a deep commitment to the people of Ouachita Parish.
Throughout his career, Sheriff Mashaw has served in nearly every major area of the Sheriff’s Office, including Patrol, Training, Metro Narcotics, Civil, Communications, Computer Services, and Executive Administration. His early assignments included serving as a Patrol Deputy, Training Officer, and Shift Supervisor in the Patrol Division. He later spent four and a half years with the Metro Narcotics Unit and two years in the Civil Division before returning to Patrol as a Shift Commander.
In 2008, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to oversee the Communications and Computer Services Divisions. He later advanced to the rank of Major, where he assumed command of the Patrol Division. In February 2010, he was promoted to Colonel, and on July 1, 2012, Sheriff Jay Russell appointed him Chief Deputy, a position he held until being elected Sheriff of Ouachita Parish.
Sheriff Mashaw is a graduate of the prestigious 231st Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. His career reflects proven leadership, operational knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.
As Sheriff, Marc Mashaw continues to lead the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office with integrity, accountability, and a clear focus on serving and protecting the citizens of Ouachita Parish.
Chief Deputy Larry Knight
Chief Larry Knight began his career in Corrections at the Ouachita Parish Jail in 1992. He transferred to the Patrol Division in 1994 where he served until 2000 when he transferred to Investigations.
He was promoted to Sergeant in the Patrol Division in 2004, later earning the rank of Patrol Lieutenant. He supervised the Special Crimes Apprehension Team (SCAT) in 2007 and 2008, then was promoted to Patrol Shift Captain in 2010, where he served until his promotion to Administrative Captain of the Patrol Division in 2020.
In 2021, Captain Knight was promoted to Major, supervising the Investigations Division, until his promotion to Colonel in 2023. He was a member of the OPSO Swat Team from 1997 until 2021, serving as the SWAT Team Commander from 2011-2021.
Chief Knight is a 1992 graduate of NLU (ULM) with a BA degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the 283rd Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Colonel Jay Ellerman has served the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office with distinction for more than three decades, building a career defined by leadership, investigative expertise, and tactical command.
He began his career with OPSO in November 1989 in the Communications Division under Sheriff Laymon Godwin before transferring to the Uniform Patrol Division in 1990. From 1993 to 1996, Colonel Ellerman broadened his law enforcement experience while serving with the Lebanon Police Department in Lebanon, Tennessee.
In August 1996, he returned to OPSO, serving in the Uniform Patrol Division until 2000, when he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Investigative Division under Sheriff Richard Fewell. From 2004 to 2008, he served in the Metro Narcotics Unit, where he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 2008, he advanced to the rank of Captain, returning to the Uniform Patrol Division as a night shift commander. In 2010, he was appointed Administrative Captain of the Patrol Division.
In 2011, Colonel Ellerman became Commander of the Metro Narcotics Unit, where he provided leadership and oversight for 12 years. In January 2023, he was promoted to Major of the Investigative Division, continuing his commitment to public safety through investigative leadership and operational excellence. In July 2026, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel, further recognizing his decades of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to his investigative and leadership roles, Colonel Ellerman served on the OPSO SWAT Team from 1997 to 2011, including 11 years as SWAT Commander. His tactical leadership and operational experience have been instrumental in enhancing public safety throughout Ouachita Parish.
Colonel Ellerman is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University, now the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of the 259th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Colonel Jay Ellerman
Amanda Lyon serves as the Public Information Officer for the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office in Monroe, Louisiana, where she leads the agency's public information, media relations, strategic communications, marketing, branding, website management, and community engagement initiatives. She works closely with executive leadership to develop communication strategies that support agency operations, strengthen public trust, enhance transparency, and improve organizational effectiveness.
Before entering public safety, Amanda founded and led a successful marketing and communications firm, providing strategic branding, public relations, website development, and media consulting for government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. She brings years of experience in executive communications, crisis communications, graphic design, digital media strategy, and organizational branding.
Amanda has developed communication campaigns for numerous public safety initiatives, major investigations, recruitment efforts, public education campaigns, and executive leadership projects throughout Louisiana. Her passion is helping law enforcement agencies view communications not as a reactive function, but as a strategic leadership tool that strengthens community confidence, supports officer safety, and advances organizational excellence.
Deputy Amanda Lyon,
Public Information Officer
Craig Rambin,
Chief Financial Officer
Craig Rambin is a long time resident of Ouachita Parish. A graduate of Ouachita Parish High School and Northeast Louisiana University with a degree in Business Administration, he has served as the Chief Financial Officer of OPSO for 14 years.
His work experience includes non-profit organizations and government accounting consulting.
With 35 years of governmental accounting experience, he provides a high standard to our financial management and reporting systems.
Robin McKee,
Administrative Assistant
Deputy Robin McKee was born and raised in Ouachita Parish. She graduated from West Monroe High School, and the University of Louisiana of Monroe with a Bachelor of Arts. She resides in West Monroe with her husband and two sons.
Robin began her career with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office in the Tax Division in 2012. She was responsible for collecting taxes for the parish and disbursing the monies to each respective entity.
In January 2020, Sheriff Jay Russell appointed her as his Administrative Assistant.
Her current role is with Sheriff Marc Mashaw as his Administrative Assistant helping with various responsibilities needed on a daily basis.
