Remembering Shreveport City Marshal Charlie Caldwell Jr.: 'He will be surely missed'

A good person, a good friend, and a good lawman are just some of the terms used to describe a Shreveport City Marshal who died earlier this month. 

On June 16,  Charlie Caldwell Jr., 56, fell overboard while enjoying a vacation in Destin, Florida. 

nullHis death sent grief throughout the community. Known in Shreveport for over 25 years, Caldwell was not only known for his servant heart but his bright contagious smile. 

Memories of him have flooded the internet but a Shreveport judge has a special memory that he holds dear to his heart. 

"My wife and I got married and as we ran out of the church, through the gauntlet of people throwing birdseed, Charlie was at the end of the gauntlet in his marshals unit," said Judge Brian Barber. "He was waiting for me and my bride. We ran through the crowd of people jumped in Charlie's unit, and he speed us off to start our married life. Later giving me that blue light."

Caldwell served his community for 25 years; five of those years with the Caddo Sheriff’s Office and then became a deputy with the Shreveport City Marshal Office, advancing to the elected position of City Marshal in 2008.

Caldwell's good friend Joe Francis posted a video of the marshal singing Tobey Keith's American Soldier on Facebook, with Caldwell belting the lyrics, "When liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right. I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight."

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator said, "Charlie was a good friend and good lawman. He will truly be missed by us all."

“Marshal Caldwell was a special member of our organization and a personal friend of mine,” said Hammond City Court Marshal and President of the Louisiana City Marshal and City Constable Association Pat Farris.

Caldwell was an active member of the Louisiana City Marshals and City Constables Association and the National Constables and Marshals Association. Marshal Caldwell, Jr. held the positions of President and Vice-President of the Louisiana City Marshals and City Constables Association and the National Constables and Marshals Association.

“Our entire association expends our prayers and support to Marshal Caldwell’s family and the Shreveport Marshal’s Office. He will be surely missed.”

As a marshal deputy Caldwell became friends with Barber who was a prosecutor and came often to city court.

"He said, one day BB, I'm gonna be the marshal. I said, okay, one day, CC, I'm going to be the judge," said Barber. 

In the end both of those dreams were accomplished. 

In a picture of the two on the day Barber was sworn in as judge holds special meaning. He said, "the picture is we're looking at each other like we made it."

On July 1, in a packed sanctuary law enforcement officers and first responders from near and far joined to remember the man who dedicated his life to serving and leading.  

The Memorial began at 11 a.m. at the Summer Grove Baptist Church.

Bishop L. Lawrence Brandon of Praise Temple Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral officiated the funeral, with words from Louisiana House Representative Sam Jenkins and Constable of Ward 5, Pastor Tony Hunter. 

During Last Call Shreveport Police Department said, "Your kind heart and your big smile will remain with us forever."

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.