It was standing room only, with guests standing in the back and the aisles and spilling from the large meeting room into the hallway to witness the swearing in of Winn Parish Sheriff Josh McAllister at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2024, at Central Louisiana Technical and Community College in Winnfield. McAllister’s wife Toni opened the festivities with thanks to family and all others who worked and prayed for the election of McAllister as Sheriff. She exhorted all in attendance to pray in accordance with the scripture found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, as she and Sheriff McAllister work for “a better Winnfield and Winn Parish.”
A short video address by U. S. Representative Julia Letlow expressing best wishes to Sheriff McAllister and Winn Parish followed Mrs. McAllister’s speech.
Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser had the honor of swearing in the new Sheriff, after which the deputies and civilian employees of the Sheriff’s office were collectively sworn in by Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay McCallum of the fourth district of the court. Justice McCallum also referred to the passage of scripture in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Rev. Craig James, Director of Missions for the North Central Louisiana Baptist Association, led the crowd in prayer for all who were sworn into office and then delivered a short keynote address. He reminded everyone of the moment when the Lord God’s prophet Moses passed the torch of leadership to a young Joshua, telling him to sanctify himself for God would do a mighty work the next day, and indeed, the Lord parted the waters of the Jordan River for the Israelites to cross over into the land God had promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Making reference to other great leaders of the Bible, Jabez, Asa, Ezra, David and the Apostle Paul, Rev. James charged Sheriff McAllister in the words of Paul in Colossians chapter 4, to walk in wisdom, making the best use of time, and to “[l]et your speech be always gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Sprinkled throughout the ceremony, gorgeous, uplifting music from the Family Church praise team included “This is the Day That the Lord Has Made,” “Psalm 23” and “Goodness of God.”
Sheriff McAllister had an extensive list of people to thank, beginning with his wife Toni and their families and ending with his fellow sheriffs who have offered and provided much help in the six months since his election as sheriff. He looks forward to a brighter tomorrow for the people of Winn Parish, says his number one priority is to help the people of the parish. He promised his door will be open to all citizens. He will post the priority list he made during the campaign to the door of his office and do his best to accomplish each one. McAllister asked that the public give him six months, rather than beginning at one hundred days, to begin assessing his performance of those items on his priority list. In closing, he stressed that people of every race, creed and color should consider his office the people’s office.
Police Juror Author Robinson encouraged Sheriff McAllister to follow Psalm 111:10 which says, “[t]he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding,” before offering the benediction to conclude the program.
