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Sheriff Steve Prator said he will retire early from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office to accept a state appointment to the Louisiana Board of Pardons.

Prator will be leaving his elected position four months shy of completing his sixth term as Caddo Sheriff. His last day will be February 29. Following his retirement, Chief Deputy Jay Long will serve as sheriff until June 30. On July 1, the new sheriff, to be decided in the March 23 sheriff’s run-off election, will be sworn into office.

“I will always be proud of our work at the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office making it the well-respected office that it is today," he said. "I’m excited about continuing my career in something I’m passionate about, which is sentencing guidelines, protecting the rights of victims, and holding offenders accountable.”

Prator was appointed to the Board of Pardons by Governor Jeff Landry. The appointment was announced by the governor today.

State law prohibits Prator from continuing in his role as sheriff once he accepts the appointment. His first day on the Board of Pardons will be March 1. Joining the Board will not require a move to Baton Rouge, Prator said, and he will be available to assist with the transition in roles at the Caddo Sheriff's Office.

Prator has 51 years of experience as a law enforcement officer in Caddo Parish. He served 24 years as sheriff, eight years as chief of police for the City of Shreveport, and 19 years as a Shreveport police officer.

He has held numerous state appointments during his career including serving as chairman of the Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, appointee to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, and regional Task Force director for the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Brandon Fountain