Investigation Division

Major Jay Ellerman

Major Jay Ellerman began his career with OPSO in November, 1989, in the Communications division under Sheriff Laymon Godwin. In 1990, he transferred to the Uniform Patrol division and served until 1993. 

From 1993 to 1996, he served with the Lebanon Police Department in Lebanon, TN. 

In August of 1996, Major Ellerman returned to OPSO and served in the Uniform Patrol Division until 2000, where he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Investigative Division under Sheriff Richard Fewell.  From 2004 until 2008, he served in the Metro Narcotics Unit and was promoted to Lieutenant during that time. 

In 2008, he was promoted to Captain and returned to the Uniform Patrol Division to supervise a night shift until promoted to Administrative Captain of the Patrol division in 2010. 

In 2011, he became the Commander of the Metro Narcotics Unit where he served for 12 years. 

In January of 2023, he was promoted to Major of the Investigative division.

Major Ellerman was also a member of the OPSO SWAT team from 1997 to 2011 and was Commander of the SWAT team from 2000 to 2011.

He is a graduate of NLU (ULM) with a BA in Criminal Justice, and a Graduate of the 259th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. 

Captain Paul Knight

Captain Paul Knight began his law enforcement career as a deputy with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office on July 1, 2000.  He started his career at the Ouachita Correctional Center and was transferred to the Uniform Division in May of 2001 where he was promoted to Corporal and Field Training Officer in 2003.  Captain Knight was assigned to the Special Crimes Apprehension Team (SCAT) in 2004.

On July 1, 2008 he was transferred to the Metro Narcotics Unit (MNU) where he was promoted to Sergeant in April 2008.  Captain Knight remained at MNU until being promoted to Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) by Sheriff Jay Russell on April 1, 2016.  He was then promoted to Captain in CID on February 8, 2021 where he currently serves under Sheriff Marc Mashaw.  Captain Knight assisted in the development and organization of the North Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit (NLSIU) and remains an active member of the unit.

Captain Knight was also a member of the SWAT team from 2003 to 2011

Captain Knight is a graduate of 73rd session of the North Delta Regional Training Academy.