Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell will retire on June 30, 2024, after a 39-year career in law enforcement. He will not seek re-election in the October 14, 2023, primary.
Russell began his career at the Ouachita Correctional Center and served in the Patrol Division. He was promoted to corporal and later became the Chief Deputy before being elected as the Ouachita Parish Sheriff in 2011. During his time as Sheriff, Russell oversaw many upgrades and improvements to the department. He created the Women’s Transitional Work Program and formed the Northeast Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit. Russell will support Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw for the position of Sheriff of Ouachita Parish.