Henry Whitehorn to officially challenge Prator for sheriff position

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Henry Whitehorn has now officially announced his candidacy for sheriff of Caddo Parish.

Whitehorn made the announcement Tuesday, June 13 at Orlandeaux’s Café on Cross Lake in Shreveport.

“Throughout my career, I have demonstrated ethical decision-making, with a commitment to integrity and professional excellence that has been an asset to leading people,” said Whitehorn. “I have established and sustained relationships at all levels of the government, community, and corporate spheres that will position the sheriff’s department for continued growth and opportunities.”

[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: HENRY WHITEHORN WANTS TO BE CADDO’S SHERIFF]

Whitehorn retired as the U.S. marshal for the Wester District of Louisiana in January of 2020 after serving in that role for nearly a decade. Whitehorn also previously served as the chief of the Shreveport Police Department. His campaign team says while he was chief, the city saw its lowest levels of violent crime and property crimes in more than 30 years.

Before he was chief, Whitehorn worked as the deputy secretary for Public Safety Services, and as the superintendent of Louisiana State Police.

Whitehorn earned his BA in criminal justice from LSUS, and got a master’s of science in criminal justice from Grambling. Whitehorn is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and previously worked patrol for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Sheriff Steve Prator, the incumbent, has already said he’ll seek reelection.

WHITEHORN’S FULL REMAKRS FROM THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Good morning! Thank you all for being here.

We have all seen the headlines regarding violent crime in Caddo Parish. We have all witnessed, shared concerns and prayed about public safety in Shreveport. One recent headline said: 15 shot, 1 killed after violent weekend in Shreveport. The Mayor and citizens alike have been calling on all law enforcement agencies to work together to prevent and reduce crime and disorder in our community. It would have been easy for me to sit on the sideline and watch. But knowing that I can make a difference and being obedient to God’s plan for me… Today, I stand humbly before you to announce that I am running for Sheriff of Caddo Parish.

Caddo Parish has been my home for the past 45 years, and I’m extremely passionate about our community and its future.

I am a veteran law enforcement executive with 40 years of proven leadership experience at the federal, state, and local levels. I have served as the United States Marshal for the Western District of Louisiana, Superintendent of Louisiana State Police, Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services, and Chief of Police for the Shreveport Police Department.

I’m no stranger to leadership or law enforcement.

Now more than ever, the Citizens of Caddo Parish need strong leadership… someone who is committed to preventing crime in our community, not just responding to it.

The times when a police department, sheriff’s office, or the state police can act on its own and work independently, are gone. Agencies must rely on one another for what each brings to the table – whether that’s manpower, technology, or expertise.

When I was Chief of Police, violent crimes and property crimes were reduced to its lowest level in more than 30 years.

Now, with certain violent crimes on the rise in our community, we cannot continue to accept business as usual.

Caddo Parish needs a leader who is willing to partner with others and collectively work to prevent crime. I know that I possess the necessary law enforcement experience and leadership capabilities to get the job done.

When shootings, murder, auto theft, burglaries and disorder are up in the city and towns, it is up in the parish.

To those who disagree with this statement because you believe the crime in Shreveport has nothing to do with the Parish, I say this – Shreveport is the largest city in the parish so the crimes occurring in Shreveport are also occurring in and affecting the parish. Instead of treating Shreveport as a separate entity, the Sheriff must work with the Shreveport Police Department to protect and serve all citizens.

Just as the City of Shreveport has its own police department, rural towns within the Parish have their own law enforcement agencies… who work tirelessly to address crime in their communities.

The Sheriff does not have the luxury of taking credit for the low crime numbers in the rural areas while at the same time rejecting responsibility for the higher crime numbers in the city.

As the chief law enforcement officer for the parish, the sheriff should work with all local law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety for the entire parish. Not only will I partner with these agencies, but I will also leverage the relationships I’ve built across state and federal sectors, because again, we must work together to prevent crime.

It is no secret that a large portion of the violent crimes are being committed by our youth. This is why, as Sheriff, I will work with juvenile authorities, social service agencies, and local legislators to create youth programs that will support the positive development of our youth and help keep them out of trouble.

I will create a summer jobs program for young people to work in the Sheriff’s Office where they will be exposed to law enforcement and possible career opportunities. This may also help change the perception some of our youth have of law enforcement. But I won’t stop there. Oftentimes, those in the rural areas of the parish are not afforded the same opportunities as those within the City. That’s why I will also partner with local law enforcement in those towns to ensure their youth are also able to take advantage of these opportunities.

As sheriff, I will be committed to getting offenders of violent crimes off the streets and out of our communities! As Shreveport’s Police Chief I created nationally recognized programs that mobilized the community and called on neighbors to be part of the change.

These actions contributed to the homicide rate dropping 54% and aggravated assaults decreased 17%. I know how to get the job done. I have proven results.

It is time for a change in leadership and direction in the Sheriff’s Office, and I know I am the right person to bring forth this change. But I cannot nor will I try to do it alone. It takes the parish, the city, the towns, and the state working together to prevent crime.

I am looking forward to meeting with as many residents as possible and addressing any issues or concerns regarding public safety and the future direction of the Sheriff’s Office. I would consider it a great honor to earn your support and be elected your next Sheriff of Caddo Parish.

I don’t have a problem doing the work; being out in the street making sure the job is getting done.

There are a lot of important people here today but I would remiss if I didn’t recognize my family. Everything I am, I owe to my family and my faith in God. My wife for 47 years Waverlyn, the love of my life. Our two children Henry and Natasha, and our two grandchildren Alaina and Brayden.

I appreciate your time today. I ask for your prayers, support and for your vote on October 14th. Thank you and God bless.

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