Changes

In 1976, Waggonner was arrested for soliciting an undercover police decoy in [[Washington, D.C.]], for purposes of [[prostitution]]. He was released because at that time lawmakers enjoyed immunity from prosecution for [[misdemeanor]] offenses. After the Waggonner case, the law was changed to allow congressional members to face misdemeanor charges with the exception of parking violations.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ppIIbWkftv4C&pg=PA194&lpg=PA194&dq=Joe+D.+Waggonner+arrest&source=bl&ots=WgR2ondm8i&sig=bD9XbjT4DrFQF3ut8Yby-bzeNco&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Y8VCT7aBNISq2QWg6qjdBg&sqi=2&ved=0CEcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Joe%20D.%20Waggonner%20arrest&f=false|title=Jeffrey M. Eliot et al, The Congressional-Presidential Political Dictionary (1984), p. 194|publisher=|accessdate=September 21, 2012}}</ref>  

In 1976, Waggonner was arrested for soliciting an undercover police decoy in [[Washington, D.C.]], for purposes of [[prostitution]]. He was released because at that time lawmakers enjoyed immunity from prosecution for [[misdemeanor]] offenses. After the Waggonner case, the law was changed to allow congressional members to face misdemeanor charges with the exception of parking violations.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ppIIbWkftv4C&pg=PA194&lpg=PA194&dq=Joe+D.+Waggonner+arrest&source=bl&ots=WgR2ondm8i&sig=bD9XbjT4DrFQF3ut8Yby-bzeNco&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Y8VCT7aBNISq2QWg6qjdBg&sqi=2&ved=0CEcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Joe%20D.%20Waggonner%20arrest&f=false|title=Jeffrey M. Eliot et al, The Congressional-Presidential Political Dictionary (1984), p. 194|publisher=|accessdate=September 21, 2012}}</ref>  

When Waggonner did not run again in 1978, Nixon's successor, [[Gerald Ford]], came into the Fourth District to support a Republican candidate, Jimmy Wilson of Vivian in Caddo Parish. Waggonner chided Ford for making the appearance for Wilson and instead strongly supported Democrat Claude "Buddy" Leach of Leesville in Vernon Parish, who won the seat for one term.  In 1980, Leach was unseated by [[Buddy Roemer]] of Bossier City, then a Democrat. The Fourth District is now represented by the Republican [[John Fleming]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish.

When Waggonner did not run again in 1978, Nixon's successor, [[Gerald Ford]], came into the Fourth District to support a Republican candidate, Jimmy Wilson of Vivian in Caddo Parish. Waggonner chided Ford for making the appearance for Wilson and instead strongly supported Democrat Claude "Buddy" Leach of Leesville in Vernon Parish, who won the seat for one term.  In 1980, Leach was unseated by [[Buddy Roemer]] of [[Bossier City]], then a Democrat. The Fourth District is now represented by the Republican [[John Fleming]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish.

For a time the U.S. District Court facility in Shreveport was named for Waggonner. When a new courthouse was subsequently constructed, Waggonner's name was left off the building. Instead the Joe D. Waggonner Lock and Dam is named for him.

For a time the U.S. District Court facility in Shreveport was named for Waggonner. When a new courthouse was subsequently constructed, Waggonner's name was left off the building. Instead the Joe D. Waggonner Lock and Dam is named for him.

A [[United Methodist]], Waggonner is interred in the Plain Dealing Cemetery, along with his brother, Willie Waggonner, a long-term sheriff of Bossier Parish.

A [[United Methodist]], Waggonner is interred in the Plain Dealing Cemetery, along with his brother, William Edward "Willie" Waggonner (1905-1976), a long-term sheriff of Bossier Parish.