When Jackson Parish Sheriff, Andy Brown, took his Oath of Office for an unprecedented sixth term on Friday, June 21st, it marked the 71st time that a person has been sworn in the span from 1845 – 2024, a period of 179 years. 

Jackson Parish was founded in 1845, created from portions taken from Ouachita, Union and Claiborne parishes. The 578-square mile area was created from wilderness nominally under the House of Bourbon in France and Spain and the habitat of the Caddo Nation.

Below is a comprehensive history of ever sheriff that has served in Jackson Parish along with dates and in cases where documented, historic events or names of importance of that time.

History of Jackson Parish Sheriff’s
1845 – 2024

1. Joel Guice  (January 20, 1845 – December 6, 1847) The Times Picayune of March 14, 1845, states that Joel Guice was APPOINTED as Sheriff of Jackson Parish by Governor Alexander Mouton, who was elected as the first democratic governor of Louisiana and led the Constitutional Convention of 1845. Governor’s proclamation as shown in The Concordia Intelligencer on Jan. 10, 1846 shows one Senator from district of Jackson, Union, Ouachita and Morehouse and one Representative from Jackson Parish along with a Sheriff, Coroner and Clerk of District Court to be elected on the third Monday of January 1846 and on that date for following years of elections. Local records show that Guice was elected as first Sheriff of Jackson Parish. 
2. Benjamin Cullin (December 6, 1847 – November 14, 1853)
3. Mayfield Johnson (November 14, 1853 – December 3, 1855)
4. R.J.I. McLeroy (December 3, 1855 – May 19, 1866)
5. William F. Kidd (May 19, 1866 – April 17, 1868)
6. James G. Huey (April 17, 1868 – January 4, 1873)
7. Alex Sanders (January 4, 1873 – November 16, 1873)
8. William M. Tulford (November 26, 1873 – March 18, 1874) – Appointed by Governor Pitt Kellog
9. J.R. Cavanagh (March 18, 1874 – November 2, 1874) – Appointed by Governor Pitt Kellog
10. Richard H. Jones (November 2, 1874 – June 1, 1875)
11. C.J. Kelly (June 1, 1875 – November 7, 1876) – Appointed by Governor Pitt Kellog
12. Richard H. Jones (November 7, 1876 – January 27, 1891) – First to be elected for a four year term. Fourth term was cut short by reason that doesn’t show in annals.
13. A.A. Lane (January 27, 1891 – June 15, 1896)
14. John Grigsby (June 15, 1896 – August 7, 1900)
15. James M. McDowell (August 7, 1900 – June 7, 1904)
16. A.C. Oxford (June 7, 1904 – June 10, 1908) – Was Sheriff during mob killing of Bulgarian railroad workers employed by the Tremont and Gulf Railroad in the town of Chathamville (as it was called at the time) that carried international implications. Candidates for office of sheriff as reported on Nov. 1, 1907 by Shreveport Times were Oxford, J.M. McDowell, W.J. McBride, Ben Grigsby and J.H. Sanders
17. William J. McBride (June 10. 1908 – June 5, 1916) – While as Sheriff had a nephew (Napoleon, age 21) who was a timekeeper for Tremont Lumber, killed when shot in back with shotgun by Frank Caesar at a party at a Tremont Lumber Camp just east of Jonesboro. Several reasons for murder was given with one being Napoleon got offended when Caesar, who was drunk at the time, came up to ask for cigarette and slapped him on the back to which Napoleon got offended and rebuked Caesar who then walked to his camp house, got his gun, returned and shot him in the back. Another was that Caesar said Napoleon owed him money he lent him and still another was that Caesar said Napoleon shorted his check and got revenge. A posse searched form Caesar who escaped into the woods, saying later he left because he knew he would be lynched. The perpetrator was caught Winnfield and then hustled to Caddo Parish when it was learned that mob was coming to Winnfield to “effect justice”. Caesar was later returned to Winn Parish to stand trial after it was learned that murder took place about 90 feet over the Winn Parish line. After being convicted of murder and sentenced to hang, Caesar was taken to Rapides Parish Jail in Alexandria. W.J. McBride’s wife (Mary Louisa Watts McBride) also died while he was in office after suffering from cancer. Filing in court to contest elections held in March and two elections held in August by citizens of Chatham for parish seat was reported in Nov. 8, 1911 edition of Shreveport Times. Candidates that filed for upcoming Sheriff election was McBride, A.C. Oxford and F.A. Kilpatrick.
18. Dr. W.S. Jones (June 5, 1916 – June 5, 1924) – According to report in March 12, 1923 edition of Shreveport Times was opposed by the Hoboro Klan #60 of Ku Klux Klan who ran a carnival show was run out of town and accused the sheriff of performing his duties. Jones replied by saying he had always done his duty and always would “with his face uncovered.” Per Sept. 27, 1923 edition of Shreveport Times, Jones met with Governor Parker and presented him a resolution signed by residents of Jonesboro, W.D. Jeffress, R. L. Hardy, (merchants), A.H. Colvin (Jackson Independent Newspaper) and W.J. Fanning who signed as a law student, denouncing the Klan and their actions and requesting that Governor help to restore law and order in Jackson Parish. Later Ran for seat of Senator against T.L. Hood of Monroe taking stance of opposing KKK and all “hooded” organizations.
19. Eli M. Rentz (June 5, 1924 – August 22, 1924) – According to August 23, 1924, article in the Shreveport Journal, Rentz was killed in line of duty the night before about a mile outside of Ansley by three black men who he had handcuffed together and was transporting to jail after arresting them for moonshining. Was killed when group overpowered the sheriff as he walked ahead to pick a way through dense underbrush according to Deputy Sheriff Luther Barnes and took his .45 pistol away from him and shot him. Still handcuffed together the three escaped where a manhunt ensued led by Deputy Sheriff O.O. Roberts and later joined by Sheriff’s from Lincoln, Winn and Bienville Parish along with a posse of between 800 – 1000 citizens. The use of the “Gantz Pack”, famous bloodhounds from Crystal Springs, MS was also incorporated. Ob Turner and Willie Washington was captured the following Monday. Per the Sept 3 edition of the Guardian Journal in Homer, Freeman Coleman, who was later proved as the one who shot Sheriff Rentz was captured near Mullinex, about 4 miles north of Athens the next day (Tuesday) after being trailed by the bloodhounds when he came up to a house and asked for some food. After being captured all three were transported to a Caddo Parish Jail due to the fear of uprising by local citizens all three were found guilty in court held one week later in Jackson Parish that took only 3 hours and 15 minutes and sentenced to death. Per Sept. 6, 1924 article in the Shreveport Times the Jurors were: R.E. Harrell (Chatham), J.C. Head (Eros), J.F. Bowen (Midway), J.T. Shankle (Jonesboro), J.R. Carson (Hodge), C.E. Bush (Eros), J.H. Walker (Eros), M.P. Capps (Choudrant) and J.C. Stephenson (Eros)
20. T.H Bond (October 27, 1924 – June 4, 1928) Per July 31, 1925 edition of Shreveport Journal a most interesting case during his tenure involved the tar and feathering of a young woman said to be between the age of 20 – 30 by approximately 25 women and men of the town of Eros. August 3, 1925 edition of Shreveport Journal named victim as Mary Nave, formerly known as Mary Sims. Five women and four men were eventually arrested: Ada Ward, Annie May Prohn, Walter Prohn, Charles Prohn, Mrs. Jack Carter, Mrs. Pearl Lowery, Jessie Smith, Buddie Bennett and Mrs. Alma Smith. When confronted with arrest warrants Sheriff Bond was quoted as saying those in connection with the affair flocked around him and joked about it. It was a violent time that saw several people murdered, including a Jackson Parish Deputy (May 02, 1926 edition of the Shreveport Times) and the Cavanaugh general store in Clay get destroyed by a charge of dynamite in an attempt to rob the safe that was housed there (Sept. 22, 1927 edition of the Shreveport Journal). Also per the Feb 1, 1926 edition of the Shreveport Journal two women were injured during a knife fight in Eros. In another incident Jonesboro Town Marshal L. Page Sims and brother J.Y. (Red) Sims were jailed for the killing of B.F. Blundell and the wounding of his son brought on by a family dispute.)
21. Neil Thomas (June 4, 1928 – June 15, 1948) – Held the distinction of being the longest tenured sheriff in Jackson Parish history being in office for 20 years and 11 days. Per June 16, 1935 report in Shreveport Times, Jackson Parish Deputy Charles Gunter died from having his throat cut in Eros when attempting to arrest a man on disturbing the peace charge. Was instrumental in nabbing two aviators who were notorious bank robbers all over north Louisiana (Dec. 21, 1930 edition of Shreveport Times). Also Sheriff when the Jackson Parish Courthouse blew up (Jan. 17, 1936 edition of Shreveport Journal). Orchestrated quarantine of cattle movement in and out of Jackson parish due to Anthrax outbreak (July 27, 1946, in Shreveport Journal). After five years of conducting searches in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma and offering rewards killer of a Jonesboro Billiard Parlor owner was finally apprehended in Oklahoma (Feb. 27, 1938 – Shreveport Times)
22. H.P. (Posey) McBride (June 15, 1948 – May 31, 1952) – Served as a deputy under Neil Thomas from 1940-48. Installed first three-way short wave police radio system that operated on same frequency as State Police and other sheriff departments in the area. All mobile units were equipped. Received accommodations in Louisiana Peace Officer Publication official journal of LA Peace Officers Association and Municipal Police Officers Association (7/28/50, Jackson Independent. Introduced a night patrol as well as a fingerprinting and identification bureau in the office.
23. Lloyd G. Bryant (May 31, 1952 – December 29, 1959) – While seeking a third term in office died during run-off against Newt Lowe from what was described as a lengthy illness at the age of 52. (12/28/59 – Monroe News Star. Officers sworn as criminal deputies when elected in 1952 was Lyman (Red) Watkins of Jonesboro, M.R. Tolar of Chatham, Harvey A Spillers of Eros. Travis B. Pardue was criminal and office deputy and Chris D. Blalock was office deputy (6/6/52 – Jackson Independent)
24. Mary Hay Bryant (December 29, 1959 – May 26, 1960) Only woman to serve as sheriff in Jackson Parish History. Commissioned by Governor Earl K. Long to fill unexpired term of her husband who died in office. While sheriff kept her job as Head Bookkeeper at the Bank.
25. Newt T. Loe (May 26, 1960 – July 1, 1968) Won election over write in candidate Benoye Roller. Orchestrated what was called the largest full scale bootlegger raid ever carried out in Jackson Parish, arresting 27 people. Over 125 bottles of whiskey and gins along with five cases of beer taken from one location. (8/29/60 – Jackson Independent)
26. Lyman “Red” Watkins (July 1, 1968 – June 30 – 1980) Orchestrated what was at the time the largest number of people arrested for drug distribution in one day in Jackson Parish bringing in nine. (6/5/71 – Shreveport Journal) Opened first license plate office in Jonesboro (1/15/76 – Jackson Independent).
27. Van Beasley (July 1, 1980 – June 30, 2000) – Had 12 patrol, deputies, 4 in radio room,  4 in office for tax collections, civil and criminal court and one jailer, on staff when he took office. First started in law enforcement as deputy for five years in 1960, the last two and a half years as Chief Deputy. Returned as Chief Deputy in 1968. As Sheriff, organized a junior Deputy program and had a pistol range built. Had jail above Courthouse refurbished to add new smoke detection system, automatic emergency generator and fire escape (6/15/92 – Shreveport Times)
28. Richard Johnson (July 1, 2000 – June 30, 2004)