By Marie Brown
There are many unsung heroes in our community — space will not allow me to list them all. However, we have one who performs his duties in a caring and remarkable way. He is none other than Marshal Robert Cherry, Jr. Marshal Cherry has been a long-time law enforcement official in Ouachita Parish and is loved by the community. In 2020, during the height of COVID-19, he defeated four strong opponents with 51% of the votes, avoiding a runoff for Monroe City Marshal.
During his five years of service, he has often been seen at local sporting events, parades, and funerals with his deputies. The impressive thing is that he actively works alongside them. He is likely to face at least one well-funded challenger in 2026 for re-election. This individual is a business owner who is frequently seen throughout Ouachita Parish giving away free school supplies to students, watermelons to citizens, turkeys to seniors, and many other freebies to gain support and trust. He claims he does this from the bottom of his heart, but he has been photographed with a headshot behind a US flag, which suggests a political motive. He states it’s time for new blood, but publicly denies any political ambitions. I want to be clear — he has the right to run for office, especially since he has been cleared by powerful supporters.
Meanwhile, Marshal Cherry understands that once the watermelons and freebies are gone, there is still work to be done. It’s not about power or control for him; it’s about serving our city and community every day. He has demonstrated leadership and is qualified to continue serving if he chooses, supported by the community’s votes. We, as a community, must not allow someone with no law enforcement background to serve as Monroe City Marshal. Thank you, Marshal Robert Cherry, Jr., for your dedication to serving people. Because of you, WE can love where we live and live where we love.
