James L. Hawk Herford
May 24, 1947 ~ January 9, 2011
James Lynn "Hawk" Herford, 63, of Westlake passed away, Sunday, January 9, 2011 in Hollywood, Florida.
He was born in Lake Charles and a lifelong resident of Westlake. He was a 1965 graduate of Westlake High School and attended McNeese State University. Mr. Herford began a career dedicated to law enforcement when he joined the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office in 1972 serving as a deputy. In 1979 he ran for and was elected Westlake Chief of Police. He retired as chief after twenty years.
He was a member of the Louisiana Pardon and Parole Board until 2004. He served with the Louisiana Attorney General's Office until 2007 when he returned to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office to serve as the Public Relations Office for community services.
He was a member of the International Association of Chief's of Police, the Louisiana Chief's of Police Board, the Municipal Peace Offices Board, the Municipal Retirement Board, the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, the Governor's Drug Control and Violent Policy Board. He was a member the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8, the Southwest Chief of Police Board, the DARE Board, the Southwest District Law Enforcement Planning Council. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Always active in community services, Mr. Herford served as a member of the Westlake Real Estate Board and the Lake Charles Port Authority Board. Mr. Herford was a member of St. John Bosco Catholic Church and attended Mass at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.
Survivors include his wife, Deanna McCallon Herford of Westlake; son, Randy Weathersby; daughter, Brenda Jouett; one brother, Guy Herford; seven grandchildren, Casey and Tracy Jouett, Megan Rose, Kade Kibodeaux, Whitney and Taylor Weathersby, and Lacy Breaux; two nephews, James Scott Herford and Stephen Marshall Herford. He was preceded in death by his parents, James R. and Iva Mae (Roth) Herford.
His Funeral Mass will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 14, 2011 at The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. Monsignor Jace Eskind and Reverend Herbert J. May will officiate. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery in Westlake under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday, with a prayer service at 6:00 PM with Reverend W. H. Yarbrough officiating. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9:00 AM until 1:30 PM in the funeral home.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are, Scott and Stephen Herford, George Thompson, Jr., Carl "Skip" Chisholm, Earl Stark, Mike Parker, Mike Wade and David Van Winkle.
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All my sympathies go out to you Guy and Deann. I knew Jim when he was just Jim and he was just the same as he was with all the things he accomplished in his life.He will be missed!
All my sympathies go out to you Guy and Deann. I knew Jim when he was just Jim and he was just the same as he was with all the things he accomplished in his life.He will be missed!
Aunt Dee I just seen Kathy and Earl Friday night and they told me about Hawk Iam so sorry to hear this. I would have been there if I had known. I want you to know you are in my heart and prayers. I miss you and Love you very much. Please when you get a chance give me a call I would love to hear from you 337-743-6818. Love you Barbara Becker
Big Jim, was our classmate at the FBI National Academy back in '92. Although 18 years have passed we have kept in touch and remained friends. May the family find peace and condolences knowing that he has enriched all our lives. God Bless you.
Deann and family, please accept our sincere sympathy for your loss. Hawk was not only a great friend to all in law enforcement but was a really true friend to all those he knew.We are unable to attend the services due to a death in our family this week. The services are on the same day as Hawk's. We regret that we cannot be there. Please call if there is anything we can do for you. You and your family will be in our prayers. Take care.
Deanna, I could not believe that Hawk had died until Tony told me about it. He was such a great guy and an
Deanna, I was so shocked and sorry to hear of your wonderful husband's passing. He was such a good man and an exceptional friend to Tony. The way I think of my husband's death is that he is always around me and in such a wonderful place. That doesn't make it any easier but it is comforting. My condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Regina Mancuso
Deanna, Sorry to hear about the death of your husband. I will pray for peace and comfort for you and your family at this time. It just does not seem possible that we can be the elders does it? I have thought of you so many times and wondered what happened to you after you left Kinder. You must have a wonderful family and I am sure they will be a real comfort to you in the future days. May God Bless all of you as you go through this difficult time. I would love to hear from you when you have the time. Mary Lee Knight Fontenot
Dee and Guy so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Dee, my heart goes out to you, my friend. When you threw your hands up and said MY FRIEND when I hugged you last night at Hawk's wake, it made me feel so good. God bless you and keep you in his arms, and please let me know if I can help you in any way. When you miss Hawk, just think of Stitch's words…
Hawk was a great man and a true friend. I meet hawk when I was married to the chief of Police Edward Vice. I meet Hawk at all of the Poice meetings, Conf. and went on a cruise with our friends from stark.He will be greatly missed I love him dearly. May prayers and thought will alway's be with him and his wife, and family we lost a great man. Sincerly Glenda Jordan
Hawk was a TRUE friend to me. He will be remembered as a loyal,honest, fun-loving, God loving individual. He will be missed.
Hawk, we will keep you in our prayers, I often think back of the good times in the Chief's Assn. You were a good frind.Chief Al Gibson, RetiredCrowley
It is with heavy heart that I offer my most sincere condolences to each and every member of Hawk's family. He was a great man of integrity and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. The Lake Area has lost one of it's very finest with the passing of Hawk Herford. You're all in the forefront of my thoughts and prayers during this time and Hawk will forever live in our memories…
Joe and I extend our sympathy to you and the family. We are so sorry for your loss.
May our God Lord be with you, Dee, at this sad time.The world lost a very kind man. Esther Jack
Ms. Dee Dee know that you and your family are in my prayers. I know that you are in a new season now and God will guide you and give you strength through it all. I loved Mr. Hawk he was such a gentle giant and a very awesome son. He didn't mind showing others how much his family meant to him. When he would talk of you I remembered the twinkle in his eyes and prayed I'd find that love to and in time I did. You have my e mail address and hope you will contact me in days to come heck girl pack a bag and come to Canada for a visit. Miss seeing you. Love Mill
Ms. Dee,I was so sorry to learn of Hawk's passing. We have so many fond memories of him at the Silver Dollar.The one that stands out the most is, of course ,his midnight serenade. He was such a kind, fun loving man. We have missed you both so much over the years. My heart aches for you, but I know that God will carry you through this unspeakably difficult time.He is always faithful and strong. I know he will give you a peace that defies understanding as he holds you in his everlasting arms. My thoughts and prayers are with you. With much love, Kristi
So sorry for your loss, he maybe gone, but will never be forgotten….may God give you the strength to make it through these tough times…praying that you find peace….Ned and Gaynell
The Chief was a good man.. I know he'll be missed. My condolences to the family, you'll be in our prayers.
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Hawk was a great person and will be truly missed. TSA, Lake Charles Regional Airport.
We would like to send our condolences to the Herford family for your loss. Hawk will be sadly missed. I had the opportunity of knowing him through the LACP organization. May God give you the strength and courage you need during your time of grief.