Special to the LPJ
BATON ROUGE – For 45 years, Clifford R. Strider, III has dedicated his entire legal career to the administration of criminal justice. What began soon after law school as a young prosecutor in the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office in 1979, Strider has since traversed the state, successfully serving as an assistant district attorney in 19 jurisdictions including rising to the role of first assistant district attorney in Rapides, Union and Lincoln Parishes.
Whether serving an assistant district attorney, assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division for the La. Department of Justice, or a special prosecutor specializing in violent crimes, Strider has left an indelible mark on Louisiana’s legal landscape.
On Friday, June 7, 2024, Strider’s distinguished lifetime of service was enshrined in the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony in Baton Rouge.
The Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame was established to “honor and acknowledge the men and women of Louisiana who have served their community and the State of Louisiana in the honorable profession of law enforcement, judiciary, and related fields”.
The Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Foundation Board of Directors, which established the Hall of Fame in 2004, considers the merits and lifetime achievements of the nominees. For Strider, the board was presented with a bevy of achievements to consider including him earning the Outstanding Prosecutor Award by the Louisiana Victims and Citizens Against Crime on three separate occasions and his Distinguished Faculty Award by the National College of District Attorneys.
Additionally, Strider has trained prosecutors and law enforcement personnel in 41 states, often lecturing at state prosecutor associations training seminars, as well as law enforcement seminars, covering a large number of topics, including trial tactics, prosecution of violent crimes, use of forensic evidence and prosecutorial ethics. During his career Mr. Strider has also taught at the New Orleans Police Academy, the New Orleans Harbor Police Academy, the Alexandria Regional Police Academy, the Southern University of New Orleans Criminal Justice Department, and the American Prosecutors Research Institute’s Top Gun Program.
Beyond accolades, Strider has earned a reputation as a skilled and talented litigator who is often recruited to handle high-profile or complicated cases, including prosecuting capital cases. He regularly assists district attorneys throughout Louisiana with felony prosecutions and serves as an experienced resource for their offices.
Justice leaders throughout Louisiana who have worked with Strider expressed their support for his induction into the Justice Hall of Fame.
Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington, who is the president of the La. District Attorney’s Association, has known and worked with Strider for over 30 years.
“Clifford Strider is a true legend in Louisiana justice and rightfully deserves his place of honor in the La. Justice Hall of Fame. His unwavering passion for the law, dedication to victims of crime, and relentless pursuit of fair justice continue to shape our judicial system. Strider’s meticulous attention to even the smallest case details, combined with his deep knowledge of legal procedures and unwavering commitment to fairness, sets the highest standards for our profession. I can’t emphasize enough how invaluable his contributions have played such a pivotal role in our success over the years,” said District Attorney Harrington.
Representative Debbie Villio, who is the chairwoman of the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, said “I met Cliff Strider when I was a young prosecutor in New Orleans. Cliff mentored me in the mid 1990’s as I prosecuted one of the first DNA cases. Throughout my career as a prosecutor, and even now as a legislator, Cliff has always been a phone call away. He is a minister of justice and a warrior for victims.”
Sabine Parish District Attorney Don Burkett, who has called upon Strider to prosecute numerous felony cases during his tenure, said, “Cliff Strider is the most dedicated and gifted prosecutor I have ever known! His contributions to the criminal justice system in La are immeasurable. Most important is that Cliff is always ready to share his knowledge and experience willingly with all his fellow prosecutors.”
Upon learning of his selection to the Justice Hall of Fame, Strider said, “I am very humbled by my selection into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame. I consider my service to the victims of crime in Louisiana and the quest to make our communities a safer place a privilege. To be recognized for my service is very exciting. However, I am aware that any successes I may have had are the sum of the efforts of those who came before me and those who guided me along the way. To those dedicated people I am indebted.”
Strider continues to serve as a special prosecutor in various judicial districts in Louisiana.
