Caddo's first elected black sheriff set to put on his badge next week

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – History will be made Monday (July 1) when Henry Whitehorn is sworn in as the first African-American sheriff of Caddo Parish.

After months of campaigning and legal battles, Whitehorn is set to be sworn in as Caddo Parish's next sheriff.

KSLA's Steven Maxwell spoke exclusively with the sheriff-elect as he prepares to don the badge.

“It was a long, hard fight. We were victorious, and I'm just grateful to be here, honored that the people trusted me to be their next sheriff of Caddo Parish.

Whitehorn defeated Shreveport attorney John Nickelson in a special election in March. That came after a judge threw out the results of the November runoff, citing too many voting irregularities after Whitehorn edged Nickelson by just one vote.

Whitehorn won the rematch decisively with 53% of the vote.

“I am part of the lineage of the previous twenty-four sheriffs. But what is historic is that I stand on the shoulders of people who fought for this opportunity. So for me it’s the historic piece. And I appreciate that,” Whitehorn said.

The future sheriff said he has met with staff and worked on the transition. He takes over an administration that has been in place for nearly 24 years…

Steve Prator, the former Caddo sheriff, announced his retirement in June 2023 and then accepted a position on the state Board of Pardons last February.

“We talked about several things. Quite simply because we have worked together a lot over the past few years. [Steve Prator] “He left me a good service and I am grateful for that. We have a lot of work to do moving forward. I think if I need to call him, I can call him,” Whitehorn said of the former sheriff.

Whitehorn also says he wants to focus on community policing efforts, saying deputies can't solve crimes alone.

“Ask our citizens to participate and get involved because they are part of the solution,” he said.

Sheriff's departments across the state are facing a shortage of officers, so the sheriff-elect will have to find a way to implement his plans with less assistance from the force.

“Everyone is suffering from a lack of staff. We really need to step up our recruiting efforts,” Whitehorn said.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH WHITEHORN:

He will be sworn in as sheriff at the Shreveport Convention Center on July 1 at 5 p.m.

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