PORT ALLEN — Former West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Michael B. “Mike” Cazes passed away Monday morning. He was 68.
Cazes dedicated 44 years to public service in West Baton Rouge Parish, serving as the parish’s top law enforcement officer for two decades before retiring in June 2024.
Sheriff Jeff Bergeron released a statement Monday morning calling Cazes “a dedicated public servant and a leader who devoted his life to the citizens of this community.”
“His compassion, leadership, and presence made a lasting impact in West Baton Rouge Parish, and his legacy will continue through the many people whose lives he touched,” Bergeron said.
A Career in Law Enforcement
Cazes began his career with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy in 1979. He rose through the ranks, serving as a jailer, patrol deputy, administrative assistant to the sheriff, City Marshal for Port Allen, and chief deputy before voters elected him sheriff in 2003. He took office on July 1, 2004, succeeding Sheriff Randall Andre.
Voters returned Cazes to office four more times. He won re-election in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019, completing five consecutive terms as sheriff.
In February 2023, Cazes announced he would not seek a sixth term.
“This is my fifth term, and I just want to thank the people of West Baton Rouge for their continued support over the years,” Cazes said at the time. “I really appreciate the trust they’ve put in me.”
Statewide Recognition
Cazes earned recognition beyond West Baton Rouge Parish during his career. He served as president of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association in 2011 and 2012, and was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in 2013.
He also served as Southern District Coordinator for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Emergency Task Force.
Legacy and Programs
During his tenure, Cazes created the West Baton Rouge Parish Work Release Center, which he described as a way to help inmates re-enter society with employment opportunities while providing local businesses with a labor force.
“I saw a lot of guys come in and get out that came in at a young age and they deserve a chance, but they got out after serving time and they didn’t have nothing,” Cazes said in 2019. “Today, we have a program in place that we can send them to school, we give them an education, they go to work release, and then we turn around and give them a job.”
He also established a training division that served law enforcement agencies throughout the parish and surrounding area, a critical incident response team for deputy mental health support, and a fitness facility accessible to all first responders in the parish.
Retirement and Honors
Friends and colleagues gathered at the West Baton Rouge Parish Community Center on June 13, 2024, to honor Cazes at his retirement celebration. Among those in attendance were Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Executive Director Mike Ranatza, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard, and Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux.
“It’s been a great honor to serve the parish as sheriff,” Cazes said at the event. “I appreciate the support West Baton Rouge Parish has given me over the years.”
His final day in office was June 30, 2024. Jeff Bergeron succeeded him as sheriff on July 1.
In September 2024, West Baton Rouge Parish honored Cazes by renaming Northwest Drive in Port Allen as Mike Cazes Road.
“Serving as your sheriff has been the greatest honor of my life,” Cazes said when announcing his retirement.
Service Arrangements
Visitation will be held Friday, November 28, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brusly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with services to follow.
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