Long-time Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Robichaux dies
Sixty-nine-year-old Major Michael Robichaux lost his battle to cancer yesterday. The community remembers his lifetime of service to Jackson County as a member of the sheriff’s department for 43 years.
Public servant, father, and husband, Michael Robichaux died May 1st after battling stage four pancreatic cancer. His daughter, Aimee Robichaux Williams, said, “He loved being a public servant. He had a servant’s heart. He loves law enforcement. He loved helping people.”
Over the weekend, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department dedicated its new firearms training center in his honor as he was the only firearm instructor for the county for many years. Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell said, “Having his name on that facility will go a long way. He’s such a dedicated, good man and loved his community and law enforcement profession and his legacy will live on for a long time.”
“He wanted his deputies to make sure they were the best that they could possibly be. It was very important to him.”
Due to his illness, Robichaux did not attend the ceremony, his kids Aimee and Jonathan accepted the distinguished service award on his behalf. “You’re not expecting the people that you love the most to tell you ok, I have 12 to 14 months.”
Although he knew his cancer was terminal, Robichaux’s legacy and community service lives forever. “He loved Mardi Gras. He loved karaoke. He loved orange Creamsicle daiquiris.”
The outpouring of support for Robi can be felt throughout the community but especially to those closest to him. “People still care and still love him and still respect him and to me he was everything, but to know that he was everything to other people means the world to me and my brother.”
Sheriff Ezell said, “He was just a major part of everything and he’s going to be sadly, sadly missed.”
Major Robichaux’s funeral service is Wednesday, May 4th at Our Lady Victories Parish Catholic Church in Pascagoula. Public visitation begins at 11 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 1 p.m.
