Thanking the men and women of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office for their work in keeping the parish safe in his 24 years in office, Sheriff Jack Stephens was inducted Friday, Aug. 1, into the prestigious Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in ceremonies in Baton Rouge.
"They (sheriff’s employees) have made more than a contribution to my receiving this honor. I share this with them," Sheriff Stephens said. He asked employees of the department who had made the trip to Baton Rouge to stand up at their tables in the audience to be part of his induction.
Gov. Bobby Jindal, a personal friend, introduced Sheriff Stephens to the crowd, saying, "You and your people stood at their posts in the face of the worst hurricane to hit this country." The sheriff told the governor, I’m proud of having you introduce me.’’
Sheriff Stephens, sworn in July 1 for his 7th term - making him the second-longest serving current sheriff in Louisiana - joked that, "I’ve been a work in progress," during his tenure.
"I never had (business) cards printed (after his first election in 1983) because I never thought I’d be there a second term," Sheriff Stephens said.
The Justice Hall of Fame, operated by the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Foundation at Angola Prison, honors individuals who have contributed to the state’s justice system.
Stephens was among nine inductees, two posthumously, and was the only sheriff in this year’s group. There are now 41 members of the Justice Hall of Fame.
The nonprofit penitentiary museum, built in 1989 just outside the front gate of the Angola Prison, is devoted to the study of crime and punishment in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame is in its fourth year and contains memorabilia of inductees in their own exhibit case.
Inductees had lunch at Angola on Aug. 1, visiting the museum, and Sheriff Stephens praised Warden Burl Cain, saying, "He runs a great program at Angola."
The Museum Foundation said of Stephens in making its announcement of its inductees: Sheriff Stephens’ dedication and endurance duringthe historic and unprecedented devastation of his parish . . . was both heroic and laudable.’’
Stephens, who had previously visited Angola Prison but not the museum housing the Justice Hall of Fame, also said the induction is a great honor for anyone involved in law enforcement in this state. "I’m flattered."
The other inductees were new state Attorney General James D. Buddy’’ Caldwell, U.S. District Frank Polozola, Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn, Brigadier General (Ret.) Sherian Cadoria, U.S. Marshal Rutledge Whittington, Baton Rouge Mayor Melvin Kip’’ Holden and two posthumous selections – U.S. District Judge Adrian Duplantier of New Orleans and Elayn Hunt (Eicher), first female director of the Louisiana Department of Corrections.
The late Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006, had an award named in his honor this year. Eugenie Genie’’ Powers, the state’s director of probation and parole, received the Harry Lee Law Enforcement Award of Excellence.
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