Sheriff Jayson Richardson and staff of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate Sgt. Keith Banta on his official retirement, as of today! You may have seen Keith in our post earlier this week, delivering 300 boxes of chicken to residents for Christmas!
Sgt. Banta walks away with an extensive career that spans multiple agencies, with many accomplishments, and under several administrations. Keith began his career in the late 1980’s working as a Corrections Deputy for the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. It wasn’t long before he took a position at Minden Police Department as a Lieutenant in Patrol. There he also worked as a K-9 handler, and in S.W.A.T.
Keith Banta joined the DeSoto Sheriff’s Office in 2004 under then Sheriff Arbuckle where he worked on the very first Federal Task Force Agency for the DEA. He began his career with DPSO as a Narcotics Sergeant and served on the Tri-Parish Drug Task Force and the U.S. Marshall’s Apprehension Team as well. Keith has moved around the department over the years becoming familiar with nearly every division that exists. Under Sheriff Jayson Richardson, Sgt. Banta has served as a Sergeant on Patrol, and in Special Services. He retires today with 18 years at the DeSoto Sheriff’s Office, and 16 days shy of 35 year’s service overall. Keith asked for no parties, stating he wanted to exit just as quietly as he entered law enforcement. He had but one word for the younger generation looking to get into a law enforcement career: “Remember, you are not John Wayne, and this ain’t the movies.” Needless to say, Sgt. Banta took his years of service very seriously, and wore his badge with great pride. We hope he enjoys retirement with as much energy as he provided to his community over the last three decades.
