Claiborne Parish sheriff clarifies former detective's employment status

HOMER, La. – Claiborne Parish Sheriff Sam Dowies on Monday issued a statement clarifying the employment status of a now-former sheriff’s detective whose former dual positions within parish government drew scrutiny from the state attorney general.

Mark Furlow – a lifelong Claiborne Parish resident and current Claiborne Parish police juror – resigned from his position with the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in November to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Furlow still serves an elected position on the Police Jury.

Dowies' statement comes as Furlow's status with the sheriff's office had continued to be questioned by some in the public. 

Furlow's two full-time parish positions had put him crossways with the state’s dual officeholding law, according to an opinion the state Attorney General’s Office released in April.

The provisions of the state’s law govern the ability to hold two or more public offices or positions simultaneously. As a police juror, Furlow holds an “elective office” for purposes of the law, while a detective for the sheriff’s office is classified as employment, the AG said.

Furlow began working on a part-time basis with the sheriff’s office in July 2020 after Dowies was elected sheriff because he wanted to further serve his community, Dowies said in the statement.

In June 2024, District Attorney Danny Newell issued a legal opinion saying Furlow’s position on the Police Jury would not conflict with his deputy position as long as he abstained from any Police Jury votes related to the sheriff’s office. That’s also when Furlow accepted a full-time position as a CPSO detective.

“District Attorney Newell’s and Mr. Furlow’s belief that Mr. Furlow could serve in both positions was partly based on a 2015 Louisiana Board of Ethics opinion that the then chairman of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury could simultaneously be employed as a corrections officer at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center,” Dowies said in his statement.

Dowies said he was grateful to have Furlow serving regularly; however, his transition to a full-time position came with sacrifices, such as divesting himself of a long-time successful business.

“Mr. Furlow, during his employment with the sheriff’s office, was integral to the solving of numerous crimes perpetrated against the citizens of Claiborne Parish and to the recovery items stolen from them. Mr. Furlow’s knowledge of Claiborne Parish and its citizens contributed greatly to the overall success of the mission of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office,” Dowies said.

After the AG’s opinion was issued three months ago, Dowies said he and Furlow recognize the “AG’s opinion was just that, an opinion.”  But due to Dowies’ and Furlow’s “great respect for Attorney General Liz Murrill, her assistants, and her entire staff, they accept that opinion even though it conflicts with ones by the Louisiana Board of Ethics,” Dowies said.

But by then the opinion was “irrelevant,” since Furlow’s employment had already ended, Dowies noted.

Dowies and those at the sheriff’s office who worked closely with Furlow “know that his tenure as a detective, demonstrated by his commitment and contributions, was one of service, not as an opportunity to financially enrich himself.”

Dowies commended Furlow for his “dedication to and sacrifices for the citizens of Claiborne Parish, especially during a time when it is increasingly difficult to find people who desire to work as law enforcement officers.”