Sheriff Jay Russell and Deputies hosted a retirement party today for veteran Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Colonel James Purvis. Colonel Purvis has served 37 years with the department, starting in 1985 as a Patrol Deputy. He later transferred to Metro Narcotics for 10 years, then to Investigations. In 2001, he was promoted to Lieutenant and supervised the newly formed SCAT (Special Crimes Apprehension Team). Four years later he returned to the Patrol Division as a Shift Supervisor, later being promoted to the Major over the Patrol Division in 2010.
In 2012, he was promoted to Colonel in the administration of Sheriff Jay Russel where he has served until his retirement. He is also a graduate of the 224th FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. “His experience, knowledge and mentorship will be truly missed by all of us at OPSO”-Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw.
Colonel Purvis has had a long and successful career with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, as evidenced by his advancement through the ranks, successfully working in various capacities. He is very well respected by fellow Deputies and will be missed. “He is by far one of the best cops I have ever known! I, along with all of the Deputies, wish him many years of happiness in his retirement”-Sheriff Jay Russell.
