With wife Jhela and sons Braxton and Camden by his side, Brent Barnett raised his right hand, placed his left on the Bible, and received the official “Oath of Office” that was administered by Jackson Parish Clerk of Court Rachel Shively, thereby designating him as the 72nd Sheriff in Jackson Parish history.

After being voted into the office in the June 27th run-off election, the ceremony held at the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on July 7th in front of local officials and well-wishers marks the third time in his prestigious law enforcement career that Barnett has been “sworn in”, the first being when hired as a Jackson Parish Deputy in 1991 and the second when appointed interim Sheriff of Jackson Parish on November 14th, 2025 following the retirement of Andy Brown.

“I am humbled to be sworn in as Sheriff of Jackson Parish by Clerk of Court Rachel Shively. I want to thank the citizens of Jackson Parish for your support as well as the men and women of the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department, my family, and all who attended. It’s truly an honor to serve,” said Barnett.

Raised in Chatham, LA, Barnett graduated from Weston High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. In 1991, the 35-year law enforcement veteran began his career with the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, first as a patrolman, then advancing through investigative and administrative leadership roles, serving as Chief Investigator, Chief Deputy, and now as Jackson Parish Sheriff.

Alongside his law enforcement career, Barnett has served more than 25 years in the Louisiana Army National Guard, being deployed twice in combat, including Operation Desert Storm in Afghanistan, and achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He has also held key leadership responsibilities during major federal and state emergencies, including being the Jackson Parish Director of Emergency Preparedness.