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Line 43: − 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/>+
→Career as sheriff
Though Phares succeeded Litchfield, his time in office was limited to one year. Like Litchfield, Phares ran as a Republican; he was defeated in the November 17, 2007, [[general election]] by the Democrat Sidney J. "Sid" Gautreaux, III (born March 31, 1949), the then police chief in Baker, Louisiana. Gautreaux polled 40,624 (52 percent) to Phares' 38,224 (48 percent) in an election with a 31 percent turnout.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns: East Baton Rouge Parish, November 17, 2007.</ref> In the primary, Phares had led Gautreaux, 46-37 percent, but the combined overall Democratic vote was then 51 percent.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns: East Baton Rouge Parish, October 20, 2007.</ref> Gautreaux became sheriff immediately because the election was a combination general election and a [[special election]] for the seven months left in Litchfield's term.
Though Phares succeeded Litchfield, his time in office was limited to one year. Like Litchfield, Phares ran as a Republican; he was defeated in the November 17, 2007, [[general election]] by the Democrat Sidney J. "Sid" Gautreaux, III (born March 31, 1949), the then police chief in Baker, Louisiana. Gautreaux polled 40,624 (52 percent) to Phares' 38,224 (48 percent) in an election with a 31 percent turnout.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns: East Baton Rouge Parish, November 17, 2007.</ref> In the primary, Phares had led Gautreaux, 46-37 percent, but the combined overall Democratic vote was then 51 percent.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns: East Baton Rouge Parish, October 20, 2007.</ref> Gautreaux became sheriff immediately because the election was a combination general election and a [[special election]] for the seven months left in Litchfield's term.
During his almost six terms in office, Litchfield required all deputies to reside in East Baton Rouge Parish and canceled all special deputy commissions. He improved the parish jail system to the point that it was called one of the “most constitutionally operated system in the state", according to ''The Baton Rouge Advocate''.
During his almost six terms in office, Litchfield required all deputies to reside in East Baton Rouge Parish and canceled all special deputy commissions. He improved the parish jail system to the point that it was called one of the “most constitutionally operated system in the state", according to ''The Baton Rouge Advocate''.
Litchfield was not the first Republican to run for sheriff in East Baton Rouge Parish. In 1975, the then Republican mayor of Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish, [[Jack Breaux]], ran for sheriff and nearly won a runoff slot against the Democratic incumbent J. Al Amiss, who served from 1972 until his death in office early in 1983.
Litchfield was not the first Republican to run for sheriff in East Baton Rouge Parish. In 1975, the then Republican mayor of Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish, [[Jack Breaux]], ran for sheriff and nearly won a runoff slot against the Democratic incumbent J. Al Amiss, who served from 1972 until his death in office early in 1983.
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.
Baton 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/>