Sheriff Marc Mashaw
Marc Mashaw was sworn in as Sheriff of Ouachita Parish on July 1, 2024.
Sheriff Marc Mashaw was sworn in as Sheriff of Ouachita Parish on July 1, 2024, bringing with him 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 before being sworn in as a full-time deputy in October 1989. Over the years, he has served in a variety of roles, including Patrol Deputy, Training Officer, and Shift Supervisor in the Patrol Division. He later spent four and a half years with the Metro Narcotics Unit, followed by two years in the Civil Division, before returning to the Patrol Division 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 and 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, the position he held until his election as Sheriff.
Sheriff Mashaw is a graduate of the prestigious 231st Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and is recognized for his strong leadership, operational experience, and lifelong commitment to serving 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 Buddy Aulds
Colonel Buddy Aulds began his law enforcement career as a deputy with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1990. He began his service in the Jail Division and was transferred to the Uniform Division under Sheriff Laymon Godwin.
Aulds became part of the narcotics team (1994-1996) when he was given the responsibility of being a handler of a K-9 drug dog, Dora. During this time, Aulds was promoted to Field Training Officer in 1995.
In September of 1996, Aulds went to work for the West Monroe Police Department as a patrol officer.
Aulds returned to serve under Sheriff Richard Fewell as a corporal in 2000. In 2002, Aulds was promoted to rank of Sergeant. From 2007-2012, Aulds served as a school resource officer. In 2009, Aulds was promoted to rank of Staff Sergeant.
Under the leadership of Sheriff Jay Russell, in 2012, Aulds was promoted to rank of Captain. In 2021, Aulds was promoted to rank of Administrative Captain over uniform patrol. The uniform patrol includes patrol deputies, truancy deputies, communications, K-9 deputies, and the special crimes apprehension team (SCAT).
In 2023, Aulds was promoted to rank of Major supervising the Uniform Patrol Division, where he served until his promotion to rank of Colonel where he now serves under Sheriff Marc Mashaw.
Aulds is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and The North Delta Regional Training Academy/Law Enforcement Academy’s 36th Post.
Deputy Amanda Lyon,
Public Information Officer
Deputy Amanda Lyon has deep roots in Ouachita Parish. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, with a degree in Public Relations and Communications.
After traveling the U.S. working and learning the lay of the land, she found her way back home to begin working for Lee Fletcher of The Fletcher Group. Chosen as one of the Top 20 Under 40 Most Likely to Succeed, Amanda launched her career into overdrive.
Amanda was CEO Empire Media and Management, a marketing firm that served clients locally and from the east to west coast. While doing so, she met some pretty amazing people. So amazing they sought her out to join OPSO. After much thought and prayer, she joined the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office as Public Information Officer. She found her passion in communications and giving back to those who have helped pave her way to success is key to it all.
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.
