A Legend Leaves Us
The flags in Calcasieu Parish are flying at half-staff today as the community mourns the loss of a true giant in local law enforcement. Wayne F. McElveen, the former Sheriff of Calcasieu Parish and a man whose name became synonymous with public service in Lake Charles, has passed away. He died peacefully at his home on Monday morning, December 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 87 years old. For many residents, this news marks the definitive end of an era. Sheriff McElveen was not just an elected official; he was a fixture of safety and authority for two decades, a leader who guided the parish through significant changes and challenges.
His passing has elicited an immediate outpouring of tributes from across the state of Louisiana. From fellow officers who served under his command to the thousands of residents who remember his firm but fair approach to law enforcement, the sentiment is the same: Wayne McElveen was a dedicated servant who loved his community deeply. His departure leaves a void in the historical fabric of Lake Charles, silencing a voice that championed the safety and well-being of its citizens for over a quarter of a century.
A Lifetime of Service and Leadership
Wayne McElveen’s journey was one of constant dedication. Born in Lake Charles in 1938, he was a local boy through and through, a graduate of Lake Charles High School where he was a member of the 1954 State Champion Football team. But his grit was forged further in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed the discipline that would define his career. Before taking the helm as Sheriff in 1980, a role he would hold for an impressive 20 years, he served as the Ward Three City Marshal.
During his tenure as Sheriff, McElveen was known for modernizing the department and focusing heavily on the youth of the parish. He didn’t just enforce the law; he sought to build a better future. He was instrumental in revitalizing the Junior Deputy Program, believing that guiding young people was the best way to prevent crime. His peers recognized his leadership capabilities on a state level as well, electing him President of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association in 1996. He was a “policeman’s policeman,” a leader who wouldn’t ask his deputies to do anything he hadn’t done or wouldn’t do himself.
Final Farewells to a devoted Family Man
While the public mourns a Sheriff, the McElveen family mourns a husband, father, and grandfather. Wayne is survived by his wife of 64 years, Linda Faye LaBauve McElveen, their children, and grandchildren. To them, he was the rock of the family, a man whose toughness was matched only by his love for his kin. The family has expressed their gratitude to the medical team and caregivers who made his final days comfortable, allowing him to pass with the dignity he deserved.
Funeral services are scheduled for this coming Saturday at Trinity Baptist Church, where the community will have the chance to say their final goodbyes. As Lake Charles prepares to lay this dedicated public servant to rest, we are reminded of the lasting impact one person can have on a community. Sheriff Wayne McElveen may have hung up his uniform for the last time, but his legacy is written on the safe streets and in the hearts of the people of Calcasieu Parish.