LaSalle Parish’s fourteenth Sheriff, Lane Windham, had his public oath of office ceremony Monday morning, July 1, on the steps of the LaSalle Parish Courthouse.
Windham assumes command of the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office following 16 years of Sheriff Scott Franklin, who’s fourth and final term expired Sunday.
Administering his oath of office was LaSalle Parish District Attorney J. Reed Walters, who also administered public oaths to all deputies in attendance Monday.
Sworn in as Windham’s Chief Criminal Deputy was Jimmy Arbogast along with Sherry Hudnall as Chief Civil Deputy. Both served in those key positions during all four terms of Sheriff Franklin.
Two other top supervisory positions include Tracy Clark, Operations Supervisor, and Carl Slaughter, Supervisor. The Sheriff explained that these top four positions are crucial to the proper structure and success of the new LPSO.
Windham, who won a very close runoff election last November after a field of six was narrowed down to just two men, noted during his speech Monday that being a sheriff to unite all of LaSalle Parish was not just a campaign slogan, but is something he and his administration is and will be working hard to accomplish.
“I want to thank everyone very much for being here today,” Sheriff Windham said. “The person that I want to thank the most is the Lord up above for if he hadn’t of smiled down upon me I wouldn’t be here today.”
LPSO Chaplain David Hutchinson opened the ceremony in prayer with LPSO Chaplain Joey Paul delivering the benediction and prayer for Sheriff Windham and all deputes.
A special word was shared by Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay McCallum, who encouraged the citizens of LaSalle Parish to continually pray for the new sheriff and his team – even having the large crowd in attendance to verbally agree to the promise.
Also joining in the ceremony included other LaSalle Parish elected officials and members of their staffs, including 28th Judicial District Court Judge J. Christopher Peters, LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court Steve Andrews, LaSalle Parish Assessor Tom Kendrick, along with LaSalle Parish Police Jury members, school board members and others.
Windham was celebrated by his family at the event and after the oath ceremony, a reception was held at the LaSalle Parish Library.
Sheriff Windham’s term runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2028.
Also receiving their oaths of office from the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office during the past week were:
ADMINISTRATION
Jimmy Arbogast-Chief Criminal Deputy Sherry Hudnall – Chief Civil Deputy Tracy Clark – Operations Supervisor Carl Slaughter – Supervisor Daryl Husbands – K-9 Supervisor
SPECIALISTS
Tommy Barton – Court Bailiff Dana Chapman – Homeland Security Jean Crain – Records Jenny Parker – DARE/ Community Relations Lacie Terral – Criminal Records Clare Wilson – Victim’s Advocate
DETECTIVES
Lacy Cockerham Brant King Todd Roark Richard Smith Connie Zeagler
PATROL DIVISION
Scott Cockerham Damin Dozier Chase Jenkins Terry Keene Benjamin Ketchens Jessica Kratzer Mikael Mannon Jordy Mayo Stephen Poole Gavin Prudhome Adam Richard Judd Roark Greg Schneider Robert Terral Thomenthian Williams Chris Woodward Jeff Wyles CIVIL DEPARTMENT
Morgan Baker Tammy Gibson Christie Greer Alice Head Martiel Jones
DISPATCHERS
Rain Bigner Connor Duff Katherine Helton Kamryn Hudson Rhonda Johnson Robbin Johnson Barbara Patten Floyd Peavy Celina Rieman Karla Salter Gwen Smith Mikayla Traylor
LASALLE JAIL
Aaron Floyd Danny Laffoon Jeremy Roark Andrew Ross Whitt Walters
LASALLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER
Charlotte Carter Amber Coleman Christopher Frederick Younatha Lamb Christopher May David Moreau Alvin Poole Sandra Shelton Paul Smith John Stuckey Gwendolyn Warren Kenneth Whittington Richard Morehead
LPSO AUXILIARY
Melinda Edwards John Stott Robin Taliaferro James Farris
CHAPLAINS
David Hutchinson Joey Paul Johnnie Phillips
