Changes

In the 1987 primary for sheriff, Parker won his fifth term with 65.3 percent of the vote. In 1991, however, he was forced into a runoff election and barely defeated his fellow Democrat, "Dewey" Donnell, 51.4 to 48.6 percent. Donnell had even led in the first round of balloting, 49.1 to 45.3 percent. In 1995, Parker did not run for a seventh term, and [[Steve Pylant]] defeated three rivals to become the first [[Republican Party|Republican]] to serve as sheriff of Franklin Parish.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Franklin Parish Election Returns, 1987, 1991, and 1995.</ref>  

In the 1987 primary for sheriff, Parker won his fifth term with 65.3 percent of the vote. In 1991, however, he was forced into a runoff election and barely defeated his fellow Democrat, "Dewey" Donnell, 51.4 to 48.6 percent. Donnell had even led in the first round of balloting, 49.1 to 45.3 percent. In 1995, Parker did not run for a seventh term, and [[Steve Pylant]] defeated three rivals to become the first [[Republican Party|Republican]] to serve as sheriff of Franklin Parish.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Franklin Parish Election Returns, 1987, 1991, and 1995.</ref>  

During his tenure as sheriff, Parker sought to designate funding to purchase a vehicle known as the "Jaws of Life" to assist in the rescue of persons involved in [[automobile]] and [[farming] accidents. He established a substance abuse program. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Northeast Louisiana Substance Abuse Clinic. He was instrumental in the development of the parish 9-11 program. he also convinced parish voters to approve a one-cent [[sales tax]] to fund the construction of the Franklin Parish Detention Center, which opened in 1992.<ref name=obit/>

During his tenure as sheriff, Parker sought to designate funding to purchase a vehicle known as the "Jaws of Life" to assist in the rescue of persons involved in [[automobile]] and [[farming]] accidents. He established a substance abuse program. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Northeast Louisiana Substance Abuse Clinic. He was instrumental in the development of the parish 9-11 program. he also convinced parish voters to approve a one-cent [[sales tax]] to fund the construction of the Franklin Parish Detention Center, which opened in 1992.<ref name=obit/>

Parker married the former Marilyn Hester, a daughter of Clark and Martha Hester. The couple had three children, Mike Parker and wife Kim of Gilbert, Louisiana; Jane Biggs and husband Billy of Columbia in Caldwell Parish, and Scott Parker and wife Becky of Crowville, also in Franklin Parish. Parker died at the age of seventy-nine. Services to be held on November 6, 2018, at Temple [[Baptist]] Church in Winnsboro. Among his honorary pallbearers are the retired Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice Chet Traylor, current Sheriff Kevin Wayne Cobb, and [[Jeff Britt]], former sheriff of Tensas Parish, also in northeastern Louisiana.<ref name=obit/>

Parker married the former Marilyn Hester, a daughter of Clark and Martha Hester. The couple had three children, Mike Parker and wife Kim of Gilbert, Louisiana; Jane Biggs and husband Billy of Columbia in Caldwell Parish, and Scott Parker and wife Becky of Crowville, also in Franklin Parish. Parker died at the age of seventy-nine. Services to be held on November 6, 2018, at Temple [[Baptist]] Church in Winnsboro. Among his honorary pallbearers are the retired Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice Chet Traylor, current Sheriff Kevin Wayne Cobb, and [[Jeff Britt]], former sheriff of Tensas Parish, also in northeastern Louisiana.<ref name=obit/>