Criminal Justice Matters: R. Sanford Jordan, 1976, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: June 30, 1976 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American Sheriff Hangs Up Badge by Russell Terry Back in September, 1975, Sheriff Sanford Jordan posted a notice that all deputies would meet in his office the next morning. At the appointed time, they all trooped in swapping a few jokes and expecting a little rousing speech from the Sheriff about his campaign for reelection for the sixth term. The man behind the desk was a little too quiet. He was just not saying much and the room was getting quiet for some reason without anybody knowing just why. "Is everyone here?" They were, except for someone manning the telephone, etc. "Boys, I have something here I want to read to you." The Sheriff started to read a statement saying that he was pulling out of the sheriff's race. He read a few words and his voice suddenly became husky and he turned and handed the paper to someone else saying, "Here, you read it to them." As the statement was read some of the deputies turned their backs and faced the wall. Others just wept openly. When it was finished they just silently walked out with their heads down. Speculation swept Winn Parish. Why is the Sheriff quitting? Perhaps the best explanation was given by one of his friends in Ward Two. He sad that late in the afternoon just a couple of days before the Sheriff released his statement, the Sheriff had driven up to his house. The weather was hot. The friend greeted the Sheriff, "Get out and come in, we'll fix some coffee." The Sheriff was about bent double but said, "No, thank you, but if you have a glass of good cold sweet milk, I sure would like that." Doctors say that tension is one of the principal causes of ulcers and the job of being sheriff is no place to cure ulcers. Most people would never suspect Sanford Jordan of being susceptible to tension problems. His standard greeting to friends was, "I am feeling good." Sanford said that he would serve out his term. He and his deputies will be ending the fifth four-year term June 30. The deputies are staying on up to the last day with one or two exceptions who had to take another job earlier. The deputies are a source of pride to the Sheriff. He prefers to talk about them rather than himself. "Take Murphy Worsham, for instance, you won't find a man with a better knowledge of civil law and bookkeeping than Murphy. He came in here with me at the beginning, June 1, 1956 and has been here ever since. He is going to be a hard man to replace." Worsham said, "I have enjoyed it and I hope to leave the office with all of my old friends and many new ones. I plan to go into the field of auditing, accounting, and tax work." Speaking of Chief Deputy Don Thompson, who came on the force in 1959 after spending two and one half years on the city police, the Sheriff said, "There is nothing but good I can say about Don Thompson and his loyalty." For himself, Thompson said, "I am still interested in law enforcement. The job is becoming more and more complicated and the need for well trained officers is now greater than ever before. "As to my plans, I plan on making my woodworking hobby into a small business." Still speaking of his deputies, Jordan said, "Elwyn Springfield came in with me at the beginning as communications officer and has been with the civil department the last four years and has acted as court bailiff. He has always taken care of his job and made friends for the office while doing so. Springfield said he had enjoyed his 20 years with the sheriff's office. He joined Worsham and Thompson in saying that the new type peace officer should be a thoroughly trained man if he is to cope with present day problems in law enforcement. "Working with the school groups was my greatest source of enjoyment. I expect to continue to stay active in working with people." Some of the other old timers singled out by Jordan were Silas Creel and L. C. Kieffer. "A lot of our problems came from family disputes. I didn't want to put somebody in jail every time a wife had a fight with her husband so I would send Silas out to see about it. Usually, he got it settled." Creel has joined the security force at Crown Z. "Kieffer has done us a good job for a long time as communications officer and I will never forget his contributions to a good working force. I would like to make special mention of all our fine men who have worked so well and loyally. Our two young ladies have done an excellent job." "Considering everything, it has been a good 20 years as Sheriff of Winn Parish. I owe my deputies a lot but I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the people who have made all this possible." Sheriff Jordan was born in Jordan Hill in Winn Parish in 1912. He was elected Police Juror from Ward 3 in 1940. After serving two years, he resigned to become a member of the Louisiana State Police. In October, 1955, he resigned to run for sheriff. He was elected and began his tenure as sheriff, June 1, 1956. He married Clara Adams in September, 1935. They have two daughters, Mrs. Nellie Faye Springfield of Winnfield and Mrs. Wanda Sue Avant of West Monroe. There are four grandchildren. Jordan says that during his term as sheriff he and his deputies are proud of the fact that they went through integration without any violence, no political empire was built up by the sheriff's office, and there was no scandals during his administration. There are many pleasant memories such as the trip to Washington with nearly a hundred band members and mothers. "The people have been good to me and I hope they will help my successor, Dan Page," Sheriff Jordan said last week. "If the people will cooperate with Dan, he will make a good sheriff." Sheriff Jordan will step down this Wednesday, June 30, and new Sheriff Dan Page will take over.