Lloyd B. Johnson, who served as sheriff of St. John the Baptist Parish for more than 20 years, died Monday, May 29, 2017. He was  87.

A native of Gatesville, Texas, Johnson moved to Reserve in his youth. He worked as an oil field leasing agent for many years before deciding at 40 to begin a career in law enforcement.

He began as a deputy for Sheriff Percy D. Hebert and eventually became a detective, chief of detectives and chief deputy. He was the first St. John deputy to graduate from Louisiana State University’s law enforcement academy.

After Hebert’s sudden death in 1974, Johnson ran in a special election to finish the remainder of Hebert’s term. Johnson lost to Lester Millet by 254 votes. Johnson ran again in the regular election and defeated Millet by 264 votes.

He took over the office early when Millet resigned and Gov. Edwin Edwards appointed him to finish Millet’s term.

Johnson served as sheriff from 1976 to 1996, turning a debt-filled office into one that was financially stable.

He had only 43 officers when he took over, and seven patrol cars — two of which didn’t even have motors.

Johnson oversaw the building of the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility, which increased the jail’s capacity from 56 beds to 283.

While Johnson’s term coincided with the peak growth of St. John Parish, Johnson referred to himself as a “country sheriff,” who stayed in touch with the people of his community.

Sheriff Mike Tregre, who was hired by Johnson in 1988, said Johnson was the typical sheriff.

“If you watch the movies of the old days, he’d fit right in,” Tregre said. “He laid the foundation for this department to grow and expand and helped get it where it is today.”

Tregre is working to name the new indoor shooting range and training facility for Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks doantions be made to the St. John Sheriff’s bulletproof vest fund.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 1 at the St. John Parish Civic Center, 2900 U.S. 51, LaPlace.

Visitation will resume at 9 a.m. Friday, June 2 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 529 W. Fifth St., LaPlace. A Funeral Mass will immediately follow visitation at noon.

Arrangements are by Millet-Guidry Funeral Home.