[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4056]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO HAL TURNER

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I have come to the Senate floor 
many times before to speak about the important role that Louisiana 
sheriffs play in our State. Our sheriffs are unique among their 
nationwide counterparts in three distinct ways: in that they serve as 
the chief law enforcement officer of the parish, the chief executive 
officer of the parish court, and the official tax collector for their 
parishes. This position, established in our State Constitution, gives 
our sheriffs a highly influential and distinct position of power and 
responsibility.
  Today I have come to commemorate one of our State's most 
distinguished sheriffs, and a true leader within our law enforcement 
committee, Hal Turner. Late last week, I learned that Hal, the 
executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, LSA, will be 
retiring at the end of March. He has served in this important role 
since 2004, and is only the third individual to do so since the LSA's 
inception in 1938. While I am sad to see him leave, I would like to 
take a moment to honor Hal, his over 30 years of public service, and 
the many contributions he made to Louisiana.
  Hal began his law enforcement career in 1980 and rose through the 
ranks of the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office from patrol deputy to 
criminal investigator. From the beginning he knew that law enforcement 
was something he ``wanted to do,'' but later in life he would learn 
that it was something he ``had to do.'' For Hal, law enforcement was 
about more than solving crimes; he recognized the role of the community 
in deterring criminal activity. To foster that engagement, Hal began 
mentoring youth as one of Louisiana's first Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education--DARE--officers. To this day, that post remains a source of 
great pride for him.
  Hal's passion for law enforcement and service fueled participation on 
numerous LSA boards as well as the Louisiana Commission on Law 
Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice. In 2001, Hal 
achieved the highest honor awarded to a Louisiana sheriff--president of 
the LSA. Because of his effectiveness as a leader and continued 
advocacy for the sheriffs, this part-time role soon became a full-time 
position. Hal took the helm as executive director in 2004.
  As executive director, Hal ensured that the LSA was prepared for the 
challenges of the 21st century. Some of his initiatives included the 
promotion of the Sex Offenders Tracking Web-Site, establishing 
Louisiana as one of the first States to take advantage of this National 
Precursor Log Exchange, NPLEx, and launching the Louisiana 
Methamphetamine Task Force, a project I was proud to help Hal 
accomplish.
  During his tenure Hal and his sheriffs were tested in unprecedented 
ways, but his dedication to agency coordination allowed the sheriffs to 
utilize their unique role as both law enforcement and first responders 
throughout the State. This role was particular clear during both 
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As my colleagues know, August 2005 saw the 
worst natural disaster in the gulf coast's history. For me, the 
response to these disasters revealed the depth of Hal's character. Even 
under the most difficult of circumstances, he responded calmly, and 
continued to work for the people of Louisiana. Hal's unfailing support 
during these disasters, and his efforts to coordinate with State and 
local law enforcement made our State's response measures as effective 
as those circumstances would permit.
  I could go on and on about Hal: from his efforts during other 
hurricanes to his work during catastrophic oilspills in the Gulf of 
Mexico. However, I know that I could never fully express what Hal has 
done for the people of Louisiana. Hal will always be remembered as the 
reliable voice of fortitude for and on the behalf of the Louisiana 
sheriffs. We will surely miss him but can take great comfort knowing 
that his wonderful wife Kathy and five grandchildren will be spending 
more time with their ``Paw Paw.'' I wish my friend all the best in his 
retirement and thank him for his steadfast duty to our great 
State.

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