Caddo Sheriff Announces Retirement Plan, Get More Details Here

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After serving for over 50 years, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator has announced that he plans to retire at the end of his current term in 2024 and will not be seeking re-election this October.

What lead to Sheriff Steve Prator's decision?

Sheriff Prator says that after much prayer and after being diagnosed with a treatable cardiac condition over the past week, he has decided to retire. Prator said, “Although (I'm) in great health now, this medical episode has caused me to realize my mortality and so I have chosen not to seek re-election. Having raised a tremendous amount of money and been assured of widespread community support, I was very much looking forward to an exciting race and another overwhelming victory just as I have enjoyed over the last six terms.”

What will happen to the monies already raised for the sheriff's election campaign?

Sheriff Prator says that all of the monies that have been raised so far for the election in October will be returned to donors. Prator will continue to serve as Sheriff until the conclusion of his term, June 30, 2024.

Sheriff Prator has served Caddo Parish as Sheriff since 2000.

Ever since Sheriff Prator took office in 2000, he has run on the motto, 'Tough on crime, careful with your money.' Prator won his first election receiving 80% of the vote. Since then, the residents of Caddo Parish have returned him to office five times. During his tenure, he has only asked for one tax increase and that was for one-tenth of a penny to fund pay raises for his deputies. Crime in Caddo Parish outside the municipal areas has gone down every year since he took office except for one. That year, crime numbers stayed flat.

Prator began his career in law enforcement in 1973 with the Shreveport Police Department where he rose to Chief of Police before retiring after 26 years of service and running for sheriff. He's accomplished many things during his career including building Sheriff's Safety Town, establishing a regional training facility, building new substations, opening Louisiana’s first regional re-entry facility, and more... all at no additional cost to taxpayers. Prator has received many awards as well, including being named to the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and serving as chairman of Louisiana’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. He is also known for his work with the Boy Scouts of America Norwela Council, the Caddo Council on Aging, and Robinson's Rescue.

Thank you Sheriff Prator for your lifetime of service!