Block, Upload, Automoderated users, edit, move, protect, rollback
57,799
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 37:
Line 37: − + − + − +
→Career as sheriff
Where Breaux fell short, Litchfield made winning the office of sheriff seem easy. His reelection margins ranged from 82 percent in 1987 to 85 percent in 1991, 68 percent in 1995, 83 percent in 1999, and 78 percent in 2003. Such totals indicate that he obtained large majorities except from those who either objected to his tenure as sheriff or who vote straight Democratic tickets. Republican sheriffs have been rare in Louisiana: in many of the sixty-four parishes, no serious Republican candidate has ever fared strongly in a sheriff's election. In a few parishes, no Republican has even run for sheriff in modern times. The sheriff collects property taxes and enforces the law in parts of counties outside corporation limits. Many Louisiana voters consider the sheriff one of the most important public officials.
Where Breaux fell short, Litchfield made winning the office of sheriff seem easy. His reelection margins ranged from 82 percent in 1987 to 85 percent in 1991, 68 percent in 1995, 83 percent in 1999, and 78 percent in 2003. Such totals indicate that he obtained large majorities except from those who either objected to his tenure as sheriff or who vote straight Democratic tickets. Republican sheriffs have been rare in Louisiana: in many of the sixty-four parishes, no serious Republican candidate has ever fared strongly in a sheriff's election. In a few parishes, no Republican has even run for sheriff in modern times. The sheriff collects property taxes and enforces the law in parts of counties outside corporation limits. Many Louisiana voters consider the sheriff one of the most important public officials.
At his retirement reception, Litchfield said that he would particularly miss his employees and the public "very much. People have been very kind." Former State Representative Donald Ray Kennard of Baton Rouge told Litchfield at the reception: "We love you and will miss you. We are proud of you for the contributions you have made to the country, the state, and the parish." Kennard presented Litchfield with a plaque from the Louisiana House of Representatives.
At his retirement reception, Litchfield said that he would particularly miss his employees and the public "very much. People have been very kind." Former State Representative Donald Ray Kennard of Baton Rouge told Litchfield at the reception: "We love you and will miss you. We are proud of you for the contributions you have made to the country, the state, and the parish." Kennard presented Litchfield with a plaque from the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Bton Rouge Police Chief Jeffery Earl "Jeff" LeDuff said that he began his law enforcement career in 1983, when Litchfield won his first of six terms as sheriff. "I’ve always found the sheriff to be a great law enforcement mind", LeDuff told the ''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''.<ref name=death/>
Bton Rouge Police Chief Jeffery Earl "Jeff" LeDuff said that he began his law enforcement career in 1983, when Litchfield won his first of six terms as sheriff. "I’ve always found the sheriff to be a great law enforcement mind", LeDuff told the ''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''.<ref name=death/>
Mike Barnett, a retired colonel from the sheriff’s office with thirty-seven years of service, said that he met Litchfield while working with the FBI as a bank robbery investigator. “Litchfield is a kind, good man and is the best of bosses,” said Barnett, who was Litchfield’s assistant and chief criminal deputy. “He gave you a job and let you do it, and he wouldn’t ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do himself." Barnett found Litchfield to be more of a law enforcement man than a politician. On several occasions, according to Barnett, Litchfield said that if "you do the right thing, the politics will take care of the rest".<ref name=death/>
Mike Barnett, a retired colonel from the sheriff’s office with thirty-seven years of service, said that he met Litchfield while working with the FBI as a bank robbery investigator. “Litchfield is a kind, good man and is the best of bosses,” said Barnett, who was Litchfield’s assistant and chief criminal deputy. “He gave you a job and let you do it, and he wouldn’t ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do himself." Barnett found Litchfield to be more of a law enforcement man than a politician. On several occasions, according to Barnett, Litchfield said that if "you do the right thing, the politics will take care of the rest".<ref name=death/>
Silas M. Geralds, who retired from the sheriff’s office in 2004 after thirty-seven years of service, said that Litchfield treated everyone equally and with respect. “He demands respect and he gives respect,” said Geralds, who retired as a lieutenant colonel. “If it wasn’t for the sheriff, we (the office) wouldn’t be as forward and advanced as we are today."<ref name=death/>
Silas M. Geralds, who retired from the sheriff’s office in 2004 after thirty-seven years of service, said that Litchfield treated everyone equally and with respect. “He demands respect and he gives respect,” said Geralds, who retired as a lieutenant colonel. “If it wasn’t for the sheriff, we (the office) wouldn’t be as forward and advanced as we are today."<ref name=death/>