Sheriff In the Storm: Willy Martin’s Battle Against Crack Cocaine In St. James Parish

Contributor

Nestled among sugarcane fields and winding river roads, the small towns of St. James Parish were traditionally characterized by closeknit families, church choirs, and the rhythms of rural life. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, this tranquility was disrupted by a powerful and destructive force: crack cocaine.

Leading the Parish's fight against this drug epidemic was Sheriff Willy Martin, Jr., a man without a conventional law enforcement background, who ultimately served for over three decades.

Before the Badge: Witnessing the Damage

Before becoming Sheriff, Martin volunteered as a firefighter in the Parish, where he first observed the early signs of a drug crisis.

“We responded to calls where individuals were incoherent or unconscious,” Martin recalled. “At the time, we didn’t know what it was - sometimes alcohol, sometimes drugs. But we recognized the patterns.”

He also witnessed tragedies on the roads.

“We would arrive at accidents and later find out the drivers were impaired. It became clear that something larger was happening.”

When Willy Martin, Jr. became Sheriff in 1992, he inherited a department overwhelmed by the violence unleashed by crack cocaine in St. James Parish.

“There were neighborhoods deputies wouldn’t enter without backup,” Martin stated. “They faced assaults with rocks, and sometimes shots were fired to intimidate us.”

Front Street, now known as Main Street in Lutcher, became a hotspot of unrest, with other troubled areas emerging in Gramercy. The situation deteriorated to the point where officers would stop at the edges of these neighborhoods, waiting for backup before proceeding.

What troubled Martin most was not just the severity of the threats but their frequency.

“These weren’t isolated incidents,” he remarked. “They were becoming the new norm.”

Turf Wars In A Small Town

The chaos intensified with the emergence of organized gangs - some with names previously seen only on television.

“We started hearing about the Crips and Bloods,” Martin noted. “Eventually, we witnessed their influence firsthand.”

This led to turf wars reminiscent of gang rivalries in larger cities: Lutcher versus Gramercy, Convent versus Lutcher, East Bank versus West Bank.

“It escalated to the point where violence was no longer just about drugs it was about territory and reputation.”

Community Policing: AShift from Enforcement To Prevention

Recognizing that arrests alone wouldn’t resolve the crisis, Martin advocated for a more comprehensive approach.

He introduced the D.A.R.E. program in the Parish, focusing on drug resistance education for youth. He also established a dedicated public housing patrol division and held community meetings in areas most affected by crime.

“We needed more than patrol cars,” he emphasized. “We needed to engage with people where they lived.”

Martin enlisted local advocate Harold Keller to assist families in finding rehabilitation placements. “I told Harold that if I called him because a parent needed help, I wanted a bed,” Martin recalled. “He made it happen, often through faith-based initiatives.”

Pastors and community leaders became vital partners.

“They knew who was struggling and helped us reach people we couldn’t access alone.”

Sting Operations And Major Breakthroughs

Martin also enhanced enforcement efforts, leading one of the most extensive undercover operations in Parish history.

“We had two operatives working deep undercover only a few in my department were aware,” he stated.

After months of covert surveillance and controlled buys, the Sheriff's Office executed a coordinated sting that resulted in 42 arrests.

“It removed individuals from the streets who were causing real harm, and the community felt the impact immediately.”

When the Crisis Hit Home

Despite the Department’s advancements, the emotional toll on officers was significant.

“I had deputies confide that their own children were using drugs,” Martin shared. “They struggled to arrest someone else’s child while watching their own fall apart.”

Some deputies experienced burnout, while others became withdrawn. A few could no longer continue in narcotics enforcement.

“It’s a job that wears you down,” Martin remarked. “You give everything to the fight, and sometimes it’s still not enough.”

A Mental Health Initiative for Deputies

In response, Martin brought in Hidalgo & Associates, a Baton Rougebased counseling service, to provide confidential mental health care to officers and their families.

“I didn’t need to know who used it; I just wanted to ensure people had access,” he stated.

This initiative was one of the first of its kind in the region, and Martin believes it saved both careers and lives.

Regrets: When Prevention Lagged And Silence Prevails

While proud of his achievements, Martin harbors regrets - particularly concerning the D.A.R.E. program.

Martin said D.A.R.E. failed to evolve with the rapid changing times.

“The children changed and the way they learned evolved and the program didn’t keep pace. We needed to improve and we needed something to compliment D.A.R.E.,” Martin shared.

Another regret was the pervasive silence in parts of the community.

“People were aware of what was happening,” Martin noted. “But they were afraid to speak out. It was in that silence that the drug trade flourished.”

The Impact Of Criminal Records

Martin also reflected on the long-term consequences of low-level drug convictions.

“You have individuals walking around with records from 25-years ago for possessing a small amount of marijuana,” he stated. “Now they struggle to find housing or jobs. How is that just?”

While he still believes in accountability, Martin asserts that society must do more to support recovery and help individuals move beyond past mistakes.

“You can’t expect someone to move forward if they’re chained to their record.”

Legacy Projects and Lasting Impact

Martin leaves behind more than memories. His tenure saw the establishment of the Parish’s first law enforcement training facility, the introduction of competitive pay and retirement plans for deputies, and the acquisition of lifesaving equipment such as armored vehicles.

“People thought it was excessive at first,” he remarked, “until we needed it.”

He also implemented fleet operations, safety protocols, and financial reforms that made the department one of the most stable in the state.

“I didn’t build a jail,” he stated. “I built systems to support good people.”

A Sheriff’s Final Chapter

Now retired, Martin is constructing a camp in Cocodrie, a peaceful coastal village in Terrebonne Parish.

“It’s peaceful,” he said. “A place where I can fish, think, and spend time with my grandkids.”

Yet, the past remains close to his thoughts.

“We lost many good people to crack,” he reflected. “But we saved some, too. If even one person is still standing because of what we did, it was worth it.”

A Life of Service

Willy Martin’s story embodies humility, responsibility, and unwavering service. He did not enter law enforcement for recognition; he did so to protect his community and restore its sense of safety.

“I wasn’t born into wealth,” he stated. “But I was raised with love, faith, and a sense of duty. I aimed to live by those values.”

As the Parish moves forward, the legacy of Sheriff Martin endures not just in policies and programs, but in the quiet resolve of a man who faced a storm and stood his ground.