Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Dec. 26, 2008

Phone: (318) 525-5066 Fax: (318) 673-6933

Contact: Cpl Bill Goodin, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Police Chief

The Shreveport Police Department and the City of Shreveport are mourning the passing of longtime police officer and former Police Chief James Kenneth Lanigan this morning.

Chief Lanigan passed away last Saturday at the age of 84. Chief Lanigan became Police Chief in 1976 and held the top spot in the Department until 1980.

Chief Lanigan was a longtime resident of Shreveport leaving only to serve in the Pacific during World War II and for a brief time served in the Burbank California Police Department. Chief Lanigan joined the Shreveport Police Department in 1949 following in the footsteps of his father, William Lanigan.

During his 31 year career, Chief Lanigan Held every rank in the Police Department and received several national awards. Among the national awards Chief Lanigan received included Top Homicide Detective in America in 1973, with 52 of the 53 homicide cases in 1973 solved before New Year's Day 1974.

Lanigan was voted the toughest policeman in the United States of America in 1956 after being shot in the line of duty.

Chief Lanigan’s skills were also tapped in other jurisdictions, when investigators from nearby areas requested his assistance with difficult investigations as well as interviews of suspects.

Chief Lanigan was a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, as well as a 14 month Municipal Police Management course offered by the Vermont State Police where his graduating grade point average was an astounding 99.6%.

Chief Lanigan's lasting marks on the Shreveport Police Department included the development of the Police Academy in Shreveport and the design of the current Shreveport Police emblem and uniform.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2009, at St. John Berchmans Cathedral on Jordan Street in Shreveport by Monsignor Carson LaCaze assisted by Father Peter Mangum. Interment will follow at Wimberly Cemetery in Huxley, TX with full Military and Police honors. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 1, 2009, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Marshall Street.

Pallbearers will be the Shreveport Police Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Sheriff Steve Prator, William J. Lee, William J. (Buddy) Lee, Jr., John F. Lee, Dale Shelton, Truman G. Causey, Rick Berry and Willie Joe Green.

Anyone with any information regarding the identity of this suspect are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews