"Twelve years ago, after much payer and deliberation, and with the encouragement of many Washington Parish residents in whom I have great confidence, I made the decision to seek the Office of Sheriff of Washington Parish. In turn, you displayed confidence in me by electing me as your Sheriff for that term of office and then for two terms after that.
As the new election season approaches, I am pleased to announce that I am seeking a fourth term to continue serving you as your Sheriff. For almost eleven years, I have demonstrated my effectiveness as your Sheriff and I intend to continue that level of quality service in the years to come.
When I first took office in 2012, I inherited an office which was financially destitute. During those early years, I had to appeal to the Louisiana Bond Commission for permission to borrow money for operating and payroll expenses. Since that time, we have had to continue to borrow operating funds, although the amount has decreased each year. Finally, through good financial practices, we have been debt free for the past four years. We have been able to purchase a new vehicle fleet for our patrol deputies and have been able to increase employee salaries by a minimum of twenty-five percent.
As I said on the day I first took the oath of office as your Sheriff, Washington Parish is a special place. We are a community of significance. Our pioneering spirit runs generations deep and we have always been a community that reaches out to each other in a spirit of patriotism and love. It is that spirit that has enabled your Sheriff’s Office to effectively manage the main functions of our job and to be the quality law enforcement agency the beloved citizens of our parish deserve.
As you know, I have been a “hands on” Sheriff, making myself accessible to all persons who want to talk to their Sheriff. I have an open door policy for anyone to come to the office and talk with me at any time. I have freely given my personal cell phone number to thousands so anyone can reach out to me at any time. In case you don’t have that number, it is (985) 516-0237.
As you know, I am a lifelong resident of Washington Parish, absent only during my college years. I received a Master’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, worked in Washington Parish as a school teacher for four years, then as a teacher at Rayburn Correctional Center for more than eleven years. In 1994, you elected me to serve as Washington Parish Assessor, a position I held until I became your Sheriff in 2012.
I am a graduate of the LSU Law Enforcement Academy as well as the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Institute. In 2013, I graduated from the National Sheriffs’ Association Institute , being one of only 40 Sheriffs from around the nation who were invited to attend. Annually, I have completed ongoing training provided through the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.
The Sheriff’s Office staff is doing an excellent job, whether it is in law enforcement, corrections, or tax collection and distribution of tax funds to various parish agencies. I am so pleased to be able to work with these fine individuals, each one of whom stands ready to assist you with any questions you might have.
Your Sheriff’s Office is focused on helping victims of crime as much as we possibly can. We eagerly pursue those persons who prey on honest citizens and commit crimes in Washington Parish. In 2014, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) presented me with the Louisiana Support Enforcement Partnership Award for conducting the most successful “dead beat dad” roundup in DCFS history, protecting victims of men who failed to pay court ordered child support.
I have been married to Sheila Brennan Seal for more than 36 years. We have four living children and nine grandchildren.
I want to continuing serving as your Sheriff, and I ask for your support and prayers during this election season leading up to a vote at the polls on October 14. I humbly ask for your support and your vote as we continue our journey together.
God bless you and your family.
God bless Washington Parish.
God bless America."
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