DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson has been elected president of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, assuming the organization’s highest leadership position and representing Louisiana’s 64 elected sheriffs during the coming year.
Richardson’s term began July 1. In June, he was sworn in during a local ceremony in Mansfield, where 42nd Judicial District Court Judge Amy Burford McCartney administered the oath of office.
Richardson’s election to president follows four years of service on the association’s Executive Board. He was first elected to the board in 2021 and has held leadership positions throughout his service.
In delivering his remarks to his fellow Louisiana sheriffs and deputies, Richardson reflected on the different experiences that lead individuals into law enforcement and the common purpose they share.
“Every sheriff has a story. There are 64 sheriffs and 64 different ‘whys,’” Richardson said. “What makes this association so special is that we have the privilege of walking beside one another, lockstep, as each of us pursues the purpose that first called us into this profession. What matters to one sheriff matters to all of us.”
Richardson said the association allows sheriffs to learn from one another, support their colleagues and protect the institution of the sheriff’s office while addressing the changing needs of the people they serve.
“Much of our role is simply being present in the conversations that shape safety and the future of our citizens,” Richardson said. “Back home, our communities often look to us for far more than traditional law enforcement. People walk into our offices with problems that have nothing to do with crime because they simply don’t know where else to turn. They come because, as sheriffs, we find answers, we solve problems and we help people.”
Richardson also recognized the generations of sheriffs whose service helped establish the public’s trust in the office.
“That expectation did not happen overnight. It has been earned through nearly 150 years of Louisiana history,” Richardson said. “May we never take that responsibility for granted. May we continue to protect this office that we have inherited and strengthen it for those who come after us.”
The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Annual Training Conference, held each year in July, brings together sheriffs and leadership personnel from offices throughout the state, including wardens, chiefs of criminal operations, narcotics commanders, civil deputies and other specialized personnel. The conference allows participants to exchange ideas, examine emerging public safety issues and technologies, and learn about equipment and procurement resources available to their offices.
Gov. Jeff Landry served as a keynote morning speaker during the conference and discussed the continuing partnership between his administration and Louisiana’s sheriffs.
Landry committed to continuing to provide the funding and resources sheriffs need to protect citizens, maintain effective operations, strengthen interoperability and work together effectively during times of crisis. He also expressed his pride in being a partner of Louisiana’s sheriffs and the statewide law enforcement community.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also served as a keynote speaker during the conference and was an active participant in a specialized session addressing human trafficking and Internet crimes against children. Murrill discussed her office’s continuing partnership with Louisiana sheriffs and recognized the ongoing efforts of sheriffs’ offices working with the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Those efforts focus on combating human trafficking, identifying predators and protecting children within their parishes and throughout Louisiana.
Specialized training sessions and conference lectures also addressed risk management, strengthening community relations, interacting with the public during law enforcement encounters and managing large public gatherings, including Mardi Gras celebrations and other sporting and community events.
The conference also included an extensive after-action review of the January 2026 winter storms in northeast Louisiana. The unusual ice and snow event presented challenges for a state where severe-weather planning is more commonly focused on hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding. Northeast Louisiana sheriffs and other participants examined their experiences during the emergency, identified lessons learned and discussed ways to improve coordination, preparedness and response during future winter weather events.
Richardson said the education, cooperation and relationships developed through the association help sheriffs remain prepared to serve their communities regardless of the circumstances they face.
“As president, I look forward to traveling across Louisiana, visiting with my fellow sheriffs and learning what is working in their parishes and regions of the state,” Richardson said. “Every parish is different, and we can all benefit from the methods and experiences of other offices as we continue looking for better ways to serve our people and give our best effort each day.”
