Claiborne Parish Sheriff Sam Dowies has issued a statement clarifying the employment status of former detective Mark Furlow. Furlow, a lifelong resident of Claiborne Parish, resigned from his position with the sheriff’s office in November to pursue opportunities in the private sector. He still serves as an elected member of the Police Jury.

Background

Furlow’s dual positions within parish government had drawn scrutiny from the state attorney general. The state’s dual officeholding law governs the ability to hold two or more public offices or positions simultaneously. As a police juror, Furlow holds an elective office, while his position as a detective was classified as employment.

Sheriff Dowies stated that Furlow began working part-time with the sheriff’s office in July 2020 and later accepted a full-time position as a detective in June 2024. During his employment, Furlow was integral to solving numerous crimes and recovering stolen items.

The sheriff’s statement comes after the state attorney general’s office issued an opinion in April regarding Furlow’s dual positions. However, by the time the opinion was issued, Furlow’s employment with the sheriff’s office had already ended.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.