PORT ALLEN — Funeral services have been set for former West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Mike Cazes, who died after a reported heart attack Monday morning, Nov. 24. He was 69.
Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brusly from 9am – 1pm with services to follow.
Cazes dedicated more than 40 years of his life to serving West Baton Rouge Parish, becoming one of its most recognizable and enduring public figures. His career spanned nearly every corner of the sheriff’s office from road deputy to city marshal to chief criminal deputy before voters elected him sheriff, a role he held for 20 years.
During his tenure, he became known for his accessibility, his deep local roots, and his ability to connect with people across the parish.
In 2011, he served as president of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, and in 2013, he was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in recognition of his long-standing service and contributions to law enforcement in the state.
“Serving as your sheriff has been the greatest honor of my life,” Cazes said when he announced in 2023 that he would not seek a sixth term.
He narrowly won re-election in 2019 and chose to step down four years later, marking the end of a law-enforcement career that stretched 43 years with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.
In September 2024, the parish honored him by renaming Northwest Drive in Port Allen to “Mike Cazes Road,” a reflection of the impact he had on the community.
While his final years in office included difficult challenges for Cazes personally and within the department, those closest to him often pointed to his decades of steady leadership, his commitment to West Baton Rouge Parish, and his work to modernize the sheriff’s office over the years.
This is a developing story. As soon as more details are provided, the story will be updated. Check back for new information.
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