Caddo's first Black sheriff-elect ready to put on the badge next week

3 days ago

KSLA

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - History will be made Monday (July 1) when Henry Whitehorn is sworn in as the first African American sheriff in Caddo Parish.

After months of campaigning and legal battles, Whitehorn is set to be sworn in as the next sheriff of Caddo Parish.

KSLA’s Steven Maxwell spoke exclusively with the sheriff-elect as he prepares to put on the badge.

“It was a long hard fight. We were victorious, and I’m just thankful that I am here, honored that the people trusted in me to be their next sheriff of Caddo Parish.”

Whitehorn defeated Shreveport attorney John Nickelson in a March special election. It came after a judge threw out the results of the November runoff who cited too many voting irregularities after Whitehorn edged out Nickelson by just one vote.

Whitehorn won the rematch decisively with 53% of the vote.

“I’m standing in the line of twenty-four previous sheriffs. But the historic thing is, I’m standing on shoulders of people who fought for this opportunity. So, that is the historic piece for me. And I have an appreciation for that,” Whitehorn said.

The soon-to-be sheriff says he’s been meeting with staff and working through the transition. He is taking over for an administration that’s been in place for nearly 24 years...

Steve Prator, Caddo’s former sheriff, announced his retirement in June 2023 and later took a job serving on the State Board of Pardons last February.

“We talked about several things. Just the fact of how much we have worked together over the past years. [Steve Prator] left me with a good department, and I’m thankful for that. We have got a lot of work to do moving forward. I feel like if I need to call him, I can call him,” Whitehorn said about the previous sheriff.

Whitehorn also says he wants to focus on community policing efforts, stating deputies can’t solve crime on their own.

“Asking our citizens to participate and get on board because they are part of the solution,” he said.

Sheriff’s departments across the state are facing officer shortages, so the sheriff-elect will have to figure out how to implement his plans with less assistance of the force.

“Everybody is hurting with personnel. We have really got to beef up our recruiting efforts,” Whitehorn said.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH WHITEHORN:

"I’m just thankful that I am here, honored that the people trusted in me to be their next sheriff of Caddo Parish.”

He will be sworn in as sheriff at the Shreveport Convention Center on July 1 at 5 p.m.