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|term_end=July 1, 2024
|term_end=July 1, 2024
|preceded=[[Donald E. Hathaway]]
|preceded=[[Donald E. Hathaway]]
|succeeded=Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr.
|succeeded=Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr.<br> (pending court ruling)
|birth_place=Clarksville<br>Montgomery County<br>[[Tennessee]]
|birth_place=Clarksville<br>Montgomery County<br>[[Tennessee]]
|birth_date=September 25, 1951
|birth_date=September 25, 1951
In 2022, Sheriff Prator killed a state program, known by the unusual name "Mister Coffee Bean," which is intended to train certain felons to teach elementary school upon their release from prison. Prator said that while he supports efforts to reduce recidivism in prison, the program could put children into danger and should not be pursued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/education/2022/03/14/louisiana-program-put-felons-schools-teachers-suspended-caddo-sherrif-raises-issues-shreveport/7036700001/|title=Louisiana wanted to make felons teachers. Here's how the Caddo sheriff helped end the program|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=March 14, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
In 2022, Sheriff Prator killed a state program, known by the unusual name "Mister Coffee Bean," which is intended to train certain felons to teach elementary school upon their release from prison. Prator said that while he supports efforts to reduce recidivism in prison, the program could put children into danger and should not be pursued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/education/2022/03/14/louisiana-program-put-felons-schools-teachers-suspended-caddo-sherrif-raises-issues-shreveport/7036700001/|title=Louisiana wanted to make felons teachers. Here's how the Caddo sheriff helped end the program|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=March 14, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
==Retirement looming==
==Finding Prator's successor==
Prator first announced that he would seek reelection to a seventh term as sheriff in the primary held on October 14, 2023; his term extends to July 1, 2024. However, he halted the reelection campaign because of a health scare involving a heart stent. He instead endorsed a fellow Republican, attorney and former Shreveport City Councilman John Nickelson. Prator urges voters to back Nickelson to maintain the level of law and order and to manage the sheriff's department on a fiscally sound basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/election/2023/07/16/former-city-councilman-john-nickelson-is-running-for-caddo-parish-sheriff/70400665007/|title=Former City Councilman John Nickelson is running for Caddo Parish Sheriff|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 16, 2023|accessdate=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Nickelson entered a November 18 runoff election against the African-American Democrat Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr. In the primary Nickelson finished with 45 percent to Whitehorn's 35 percent. Other candidates for sheriff eliminated in the primary were Republicans Shayne Gibson and Eric Hatfield and the Democrats Patricia "Pat" Gilley and Hersy Jones, Jr. If all the Republican voters stick together, Nickelson would have easily won win the second balloting.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2023.</ref> However, Nickelson in a much lower turnout was defeated by Whitehorn by a single vote, 21,620 to 21,621.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 18, 2023.</ref> Republican voters who sat out the runoff had only themselves to blame for Nickelson's defeat in an election with a turnout of only 28 percent. A recount on November 27 confirmed Whitehorn's one-vote margin.
Prator first announced that he would seek reelection to a seventh term as sheriff in the primary held on October 14, 2023; his term extends to July 1, 2024. However, he halted the reelection campaign because of a health scare involving a heart stent. He instead endorsed a fellow Republican, attorney and former Shreveport City Councilman John Nickelson. Prator urges voters to back Nickelson to maintain the level of law and order and to manage the sheriff's department on a fiscally sound basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/election/2023/07/16/former-city-councilman-john-nickelson-is-running-for-caddo-parish-sheriff/70400665007/|title=Former City Councilman John Nickelson is running for Caddo Parish Sheriff|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 16, 2023|accessdate=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Nickelson entered a November 18 runoff election against the African-American Democrat Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr. In the primary Nickelson finished with 45 percent to Whitehorn's 35 percent. Other candidates for sheriff eliminated in the primary were Republicans Shayne Gibson and Eric Hatfield and the Democrats Patricia "Pat" Gilley and Hersy Jones, Jr. If all the Republican voters stick together, Nickelson would have easily won win the second balloting.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2023.</ref> However, Nickelson in a much lower turnout was defeated by Whitehorn by a single vote, 21,620 to 21,621.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 18, 2023.</ref> Republican voters who sat out the runoff had only themselves to blame for Nickelson's defeat in an election with a turnout of only 28 percent. A recount on November 27 confirmed Whitehorn's one-vote margin.
Nickelson filed suit to seek another election. Judge Joe Bleich, a Democrat, ruled in Nickelson's favor by citing that eleven illegal voters were cast in the election. Whitehorn will now appeal Bleich's decision to the state circuit court. If Whitehorn wins in the circuit court, Nickelson is expected to appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court.
==References==
==References==