(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).
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Name: Matthew Henderson
Age: 37
Employer: Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office
Title: Detective (Lieutenant of Criminal Investigative Division)
Hometown: Pioneer, LA
Years living in Ruston: 19 years
Civic Volunteer Organizations: Ruston / Lincoln Crimestoppers, North Central Louisiana Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
Professional Highlights:
- Hired at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2012 as a Patrol Deputy
- Promoted to Criminal Investigative Division in 2019
- Public Information Officer for LPSO in 2020.
- Joined the Louisiana Attorney General Task Force in 2021. This task force investigates technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children.
- Joined the North Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit in 2021. The NLSIU investigates officer involved shootings throughout the region.
- Joined the US Homeland Security Investigations Task Force in 2024. HSI investigates terrorism, organized crime, narcotics, gangs, child exploitation, and bank fraud.
Lincoln Parish Sheriff Stephen Williams on Matthew Henderson:
“Part of what makes Matt a great leader and detective is his ability to listen and communicate with people. He has a knack for being able to talk to people and put them at ease. He literally can talk to anyone about any topic. Matt makes people feel important and is genuinely interested in what they have to say. In addition to being smart, Matt knows the law very well and pays attention to detail. Matt serves his community well and goes above and beyond to help others.”
Q&A with Matt Henderson
What makes Lincoln Parish Special?
After graduating high school in 2005, I immediately moved to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University. Ruston almost immediately felt like home. The people I have met over the years have been nothing short of amazing. In 2011, I married my wife, Erin. We have two children. Lincoln Parish has such a small-town charm and family-friendly atmosphere; we could not imagine raising our family anywhere else.
How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?
I have always tried to live by the rule, “Leave it Better Than You Found It”. Ruston has changed so much in the last 19 years, with more growth happening every day. Local law enforcement must adapt with his growth. We, at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, push ourselves to stay on top of the recent trends and advances in best practices in law enforcement while building a positive relationship with our community. Deputies are tasked with serving and protecting. I take that responsibility seriously and keep that mission in mind in all of my interactions.
Who has played a role in your professional development and why?
Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with some amazing people. I could not possibly begin to name everyone that has impacted me.
Early in my career, I was working for the Ruston Police Department, and my supervisor was Clint Williams. Clint was always the first one to work and the last one to leave. Clint instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic and a good work product.
Shortly after transferring to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, I was placed on a shift with Lieutenant Tony Holtzclaw. Tony was such an inspiration in both my work life and personal life. He always led by example and never asked anyone on his shift to do something he would not do. He stressed the importance of treating people fairly. We lost Tony in 2018. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him and the legacy he left.
Sheriff Stephen Williams- I cannot thank him enough for all the opportunities he has given me over the years. With his leadership, I have experienced a great deal of professional growth, representing our agency on multiple task forces, both state and federal. I do not take the responsibility lightly and am honored to have his trust and support.
Lastly, I have to thank my wife, Erin. When something happens, it’s often days or weeks before I get to return to a “normal” schedule. She is always understanding and supportive. Knowing my family is in good hands and being taken care of allows me to focus on the case and see it through. Her belief in me has been my greatest strength; for that, I am forever grateful.
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