Sheriff Steve Prator has officially declared his early retirement from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office to embark on a new chapter with a state appointment to the Louisiana Board of Pardons. In a press release dated Friday, February 2, Sheriff Prator revealed his decision to step down from the elected position, leaving four months before completing his sixth term.

“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,” Sheriff Prator stated in the press release. “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.”

The announcement outlined that Chief Deputy Jay Long will assume the role of sheriff until June 30, paving the way for the new sheriff elected in the March 23 run-off election to be sworn in on July 1.

Prator’s appointment to the Louisiana Board of Pardons comes from Governor Jeff Landry, who expressed confidence in Prator’s extensive 51-year career in law enforcement. “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,” Governor Landry stated.

State law mandates Prator’s departure from the sheriff’s role upon accepting the appointment. The transition is set to take place on March 1, and while joining the Board of Pardons won’t require a move to Baton Rouge, Sheriff Prator assures he will be available to assist with the handover at the Caddo Sheriff’s Office.

Prator’s impressive law enforcement career spans 24 years as sheriff, eight years as the City of Shreveport’s chief of police, and 19 years as a Shreveport police officer. Throughout his tenure, he held various state appointments, including 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.