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==Political life==
==Political life==
Riser resigned after twenty-one years with the state police to run for sheriff. He based much of his campaign on the restructuring of the parish jail and penal farm to halt recurring jailbreaks. He also focused on crimes against elderly citizens and a sound law-enforcement agenda to encourage the location of business and industry into Webster Parish.<ref name=riserrunsforsheriff>"Riser resigns to seek office of sheriff", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 7, 1995, pp. 1, 3.</ref>On October 21, 1995, he won the two-candidate [[primary]] election to succeed the retiring Sheriff Royce L. McMahen, a Democrat and a [[veterinarian]] from Springhill in northern Webster Parish near the [[Arkansas]] border. He defeated fellow Democrat and McMahen's chief deputy, Thomas Dale "Tommy" Kemp, Sr. (born August 1941), known as "The Singing Deputy" because of his talent in [[gospel music|gospel]] and country music..<ref>"Singing deputy will entertain at banquet", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 24, 1975, p. 1</ref> Riser polled 7,935 votes (53.7 percent) to Kemp's 6,848 (46.3 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10211995/10211995_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/21/1995 Webster Parish|publisher=[[Louisiana Secretary of State]]|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>''Minden Press-Herald, October 23, 1995, p. 1.</ref> The sheriff collects [[property tax]]es, enforces criminal law in the parish outside of the municipalities, and with his staff of deputies is recognized as the most powerful political officer in the parish.
Riser resigned after twenty-one years with the state police to run for sheriff. He based much of his campaign on the restructuring of the parish jail and penal farm to halt recurring jailbreaks. He also focused on crimes against elderly citizens and a sound law-enforcement agenda to encourage the location of business and industry into Webster Parish.<ref name=riserrunsforsheriff>"Riser resigns to seek office of sheriff", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 7, 1995, pp. 1, 3.</ref>On October 21, 1995, he won the two-candidate [[primary]] election to succeed the retiring Sheriff Royce L. McMahen, a Democrat and a [[veterinarian]] from Springhill in northern Webster Parish near the [[Arkansas]] border. He defeated fellow Democrat and McMahen's chief deputy, Thomas Dale "Tommy" Kemp, Sr. (born August 1941), known as "The Singing Deputy" because of his talent in [[gospel music|gospel]] and country music.<ref>"Singing deputy will entertain at banquet", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 24, 1975, p. 1</ref> Riser polled 7,935 votes (53.7 percent) to Kemp's 6,848 (46.3 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10211995/10211995_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/21/1995 Webster Parish|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>''Minden Press-Herald, October 23, 1995, p. 1.</ref> The sheriff collects [[property tax]]es, enforces criminal law in the parish outside of the municipalities, and with his staff of deputies is recognized as the most powerful political officer in the parish.
Riser attributed his victory to [[God]]: "We fought a good fight, and Mr. Kemp fought a good fight. He was a very formidable opponent, and I feel like it was one of the cleanest races in the state." Kemp, who came to speak at Riser's victory rally, had thirty years experience in law enforcement at the time of his defeat.<ref>"Riser wins Sheriff's race:, ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 23, 1995, p. 1.</ref> He sworn into office in a ceremony at the Minden Civic Center on July 1, 1996. Judge Scott Crichton, a Minden native who was later elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court, administered the oath.<ref>"Riser sworn in as WP sheriff", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 2, 1996, p. 1.</ref>
Riser attributed his victory to [[God]]: "We fought a good fight, and Mr. Kemp fought a good fight. He was a very formidable opponent, and I feel like it was one of the cleanest races in the state." Kemp, who came to speak at Riser's victory rally, had thirty years experience in law enforcement at the time of his defeat.<ref>"Riser wins Sheriff's race:, ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 23, 1995, p. 1.</ref> He sworn into office in a ceremony at the Minden Civic Center on July 1, 1996. Judge Scott Crichton, a Minden native who was later elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court, administered the oath.<ref>"Riser sworn in as WP sheriff", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 2, 1996, p. 1.</ref>
Upon taking office, Riser dismissed several deputies who had worked openly for Kemp in the 1995 election. These deputies sued for violation of rights through political retaliation but soon dropped their case. Riser then sued under the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Award Act of 1976 to gain reimbursement of his legal fees accrued in the suit. However, he was rebuffed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, based in Shreveport, on grounds that the issue was not a [[civil rights]] matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1179104.html|title=Dean v. Riser|publisher=caselaw.findlaw.com|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref>
Upon taking office, Riser dismissed several deputies who had worked openly for Kemp in the 1995 election. These deputies sued for violation of rights through political retaliation but soon dropped their case. Riser then sued under the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Award Act of 1976 to gain reimbursement of his legal fees accrued in the suit. However, he was rebuffed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, based in Shreveport, on grounds that the issue was not a [[civil rights]] matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1179104.html|title=Dean v. Riser|publisher=caselaw.findlaw.com|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref>
Even more deputies subsequently joined in a suit against Riser and former Sheriff McMahen, who died in 1999, regarding the calculation of overtime pay under the [[Fair Labor Standards Act]] of 1938. The sheriffs were sued personally as well as in connection with their job duties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://federal-circuits.vlex.com/vid/allen-vs-shrfs-dept-webster-18417974|title=Allen vs. Sheriffs Deputies of Webster Parish (United States Appeals Court for the Fifth Circuit)|date=2001|publisher=federal-circuits.vlex.com|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> Riser ordered the testing of inmates at the former penal farm for drug abuse. When no abuse was uncovered, speculation increased that the inmates had been getting narcotics from visiting relatives.<ref>Clint Land, "Sheriff to look into Penal Farm drug abuse rumor", ''Minden Press-Herald'', August 8, 1996, p. 1.</ref>
Even more deputies subsequently joined in a suit against Riser and former Sheriff McMahen, who died in 1999, regarding the calculation of overtime pay under the [[Fair Labor Standards Act]] of 1938. The sheriffs were sued personally as well as in connection with their job duties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://federal-circuits.vlex.com/vid/allen-vs-shrfs-dept-webster-18417974|title=Allen vs. Sheriffs Deputies of Webster Parish (United States Appeals Court for the Fifth Circuit)|date=2001|publisher=federal-circuits.vlex.com|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> Riser ordered the testing of inmates at the former penal farm for drug abuse. When no abuse was uncovered, speculation increased that the inmates had been getting narcotics from visiting relatives.<ref>Clint Land, "Sheriff to look into Penal Farm drug abuse rumor", ''Minden Press-Herald'', August 8, 1996, p. 1.</ref>
In 1996, Governor [[Mike Foster]] appointed Riser to the 21-member Louisiana Highway Safety Committee, which oversees law enforcement grants.<ref>"Riser named to highway safety committee", ''Minden Press-Herald'', November 20, 1996, p. 1.</ref>
In 1996, Governor [[Mike Foster]] appointed Riser to the 21-member Louisiana Highway Safety Committee, which oversees law enforcement grants.<ref>"Riser named to highway safety committee", ''Minden Press-Herald'', November 20, 1996, p. 1.</ref>
In 1999, Riser won his second term by a similar margin than his first when he defeated former sheriff's deputy Thomas Cameron "T. C." Bloxom, Jr. (1929-2014), a native of Mansfield DeSoto Parish, but a long-term Minden resident. Riser polled 7,552 votes (54.3 percent) to Bloxom's 6,351 (45.7 percent). Bloxom had become a deputy in 1956 under [[J. D. Batton]] and continued in that role under successor Sheriffs O. H. Haynes, Jr., and Royce McMahen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10231999/10231999_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/23/1999: Webster Parish|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> One of the best known of law-enforcement officers in Webster Parish, Bloxom was also the appointed Minden Fire Department chief from 1971 to 2008 and the elected city police chief from 1990 to 2010, a position that he held during his second race for sheriff against Riser in 1999.<ref>"T. C. Bloxom, long-time Minden fire chief, dies", ''The Shreveport Times'', July 14, 2014.</ref> In 1983, Bloxom had unsuccessfully challenged McMahen in the latter's bid for a second term. He polled 4,425 votes (25.5 percent) to McMahen's 11,090 (64 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10221983/10221983_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/22/1983: Webster Parish|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref>
In 1999, Riser won his second term by a similar margin than his first when he defeated former sheriff's deputy Thomas Cameron "T. C." Bloxom, Jr. (1929-2014), a native of Mansfield DeSoto Parish, but a long-term Minden resident. Riser polled 7,552 votes (54.3 percent) to Bloxom's 6,351 (45.7 percent). Bloxom had become a deputy in 1956 under [[J. D. Batton]] and continued in that role under successor Sheriffs O. H. Haynes, Jr., and Royce McMahen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10231999/10231999_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/23/1999: Webster Parish|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> One of the best known of law-enforcement officers in Webster Parish, Bloxom was also the appointed Minden Fire Department chief from 1971 to 2008 and the elected city police chief from 1990 to 2010, a position that he held during his second race for sheriff against Riser in 1999.<ref>"T. C. Bloxom, long-time Minden fire chief, dies", ''The Shreveport Times'', July 14, 2014.</ref> In 1983, Bloxom had unsuccessfully challenged McMahen in the latter's bid for a second term. He polled 4,425 votes (25.5 percent) to McMahen's 11,090 (64 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10221983/10221983_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/22/1983: Webster Parish|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref>
In 2003, Riser was handily unseated by his fellow Democrat and former deputy, Gary Steven Sexton<ref>KTBS-TV, October 21, 2003.</ref> (born April 1953) of Shongaloo in central Webster Parish. Sexton received 8,610 votes (64.2 percent) to Riser's 4,814 (35.9 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10042003/10042003_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/4/2003: Webster Parish|publisher=stateicresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> After four terms, Sexton will step down as sheriff in July 2020.
In 2003, Riser was handily unseated by his fellow Democrat and former deputy, Gary Steven Sexton<ref>KTBS-TV, October 21, 2003.</ref> (born April 1953) of Shongaloo in central Webster Parish. Sexton received 8,610 votes (64.2 percent) to Riser's 4,814 (35.9 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10042003/10042003_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/4/2003: Webster Parish|publisher=stateicresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> After four terms, Sexton will step down as sheriff in July 2020.
In 2009, Riser was hired as a part-time deputy by Sheriff Charles Mahier McDonald, Jr. (born December 1954), a Democrat from Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://domino.ethics.state.la.us/EthicRu2.nsf/ecfd553acd8f6446862567f9006e60b6/57a4f99d627cbbbd862574f200550737?OpenDocument|title=Larkin T. "Ted" Riser, Jr.: Ethics Board Docket No. 2008-658|publisher=domino.ethics.state.la.us|date=October 30, 2008|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> based in Rayville, ninety-six miles from Riser's home in Sibley. In March 2012, then Governor [[Bobby Jindal]] reappointed Riser as an at-large member of the board of directors of the Correctional Facilities Corporation Board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=3353|title=Governor Bobby Jindal Announces the Reappointments to the Correctional Facilities Corporation Board of Directors
In 2009, Riser was hired as a part-time deputy by Sheriff Charles Mahier McDonald, Jr. (born December 1954), a Democrat from Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://domino.ethics.state.la.us/EthicRu2.nsf/ecfd553acd8f6446862567f9006e60b6/57a4f99d627cbbbd862574f200550737?OpenDocument|title=Larkin T. "Ted" Riser, Jr.: Ethics Board Docket No. 2008-658|publisher=domino.ethics.state.la.us|date=October 30, 2008|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> based in Rayville, ninety-six miles from Riser's home in Sibley. In March 2012, then Governor [[Bobby Jindal]] reappointed Riser as an at-large member of the board of directors of the Correctional Facilities Corporation Board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=3353|title=Governor Bobby Jindal Announces the Reappointments to the Correctional Facilities Corporation Board of Directors
|date=March 22, 2012|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> Established by the legislature in 1985 to build and equip prisons for lease to the state, the corporation raises funds through revenue bonds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoominfo.com/s/#!search/profile/person?personId=38045906&targetid=profile|title=Riser named to board of prison corporation|publisher=zoominfo.com|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref>
|date=March 22, 2012|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref> Established by the legislature in 1985 to build and equip prisons for lease to the state, the corporation raises funds through revenue bonds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoominfo.com/s/#!search/profile/person?personId=38045906&targetid=profile|title=Riser named to board of prison corporation|publisher=zoominfo.com|accessdate=September 18, 2014}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
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