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'''Eugene Parker''', known as '''Gene Parker''' (October 17, 1939 – November 2, 2018), was a [[Democrat Party|Democrat]] who served from 1972 to 1996 as the [[sheriff]] of Franklin Parish in northeastern [[Louisiana]]. His time as sheriff coincided with the administrations of [[Governor]]s [[Edwin Edwards]], [[David C. Treen]], and [[Buddy Roemer]].

'''Eugene Parker''', known as '''Gene Parker''' (October 17, 1939 – November 2, 2018), was a [[Democrat Party|Democrat]] who served from 1972 to 1996 as the [[sheriff]] of Franklin Parish in northeastern [[Louisiana]]. His time as sheriff coincided with the administrations of [[Governor]]s [[Edwin Edwards]], [[David C. Treen]], and [[Buddy Roemer]].

A son of George O. Parker, Sr., and the former Katie Mae Lupo, Parker graduated in 1957 from Winnsboro High School in the parish seat of Winnsboro. From 1959 to 1962, he served in the [[United States Army]]. After working for an ice cream company, he became a police officer in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], at which he worked his way to the rank of detective. In 1969, he joined the Louisiana State Police and became a sergeant of the [[narcotics]] agents known as the "Dirty Dozen." He resigned from the state police after two years to run in 1971 as sheriff of Franklin Parish. His victories for fourth, fifth, and sixth terms were the first ever for a Franklin Parish sheriff. After leaving the sheriff's office, he was a warden at the Tensas Detention Center and operated a business, the Providence Memorial Cemetery.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsstar/obituary.aspx?n=eugene-parker-gene&pid=190657946|title=Eugene "Gene" Parker|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=November 5, 2018}}</ref>

A son of George O. Parker, Sr., and the former Katie Mae Lupo, Parker graduated in 1957 from Winnsboro High School in the parish seat of Winnsboro. From 1959 to 1962, he served in the [[United States Army]]. After working for an ice cream company, he became a police officer in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], at which he worked his way to the rank of detective. In 1969, he joined the Louisiana State Police and became a sergeant of the [[narcotics]] agents known as the "Dirty Dozen." He resigned from the state police after two years to run in 1971 as sheriff of Franklin Parish. His victories for fourth, fifth, and sixth terms were the first ever for a Franklin Parish sheriff. After leaving the sheriff's office, he was a warden at the Tensas Detention Center and operated a business, the Providence Memorial Cemetery.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsstar/obituary.aspx?n=eugene-parker-gene&pid=190657946|title=Eugene "Gene" Parker|publisher=''[[Monroe News Star]]''|accessdate=November 5, 2018}}</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>  

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>