A crowd of family, friends, and law enforcement officers from across Louisiana gathered Oct. 16 to honor the late Sheriff Gary Lynn Gilley with the official naming of a section of U.S. Highway 425 in Richland Parish.
The newly designated Sheriff Gary Lynn Gilley Memorial Highway stretches between the northern junction of LA Highway 132 and the southern junction of LA Highway 584 in Archibald.
The ceremony, held at the Affinity Health Group parking lot in Mangham, marked the passage of House Bill 180, sponsored by State Representative Francis Thompson. The legislation serves as a lasting tribute to Sheriff Gilley’s decades of service and his enduring impact on public safety and community leadership in Richland Parish. “Gary certainly served this parish and the surr ounding areas with heart and dedication,” said Rep. Thompson. “It was my honor to sponsor this bill in tribute to my dear friend. My hope is that his name and legacy of friendship and public service lasts for many generations to come.”
Current Richland Parish Sheriff Neal Harwell opened the ceremony with heartfelt remarks.
“Gary is smiling down on us now,” Harwell said. “When we drive down this road and see his sign, we can be reminded of what Gary stood for - how he was a friend to all of us and this community. He can inspire us to be that way too.”
The unveiling of the highway sign bearing Gilley’s name was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, which included his wife Judy, his mother Ida, and many who served alongside him. The moment offered a chance for the community to reflect on the life of a man whose leadership and kindness left a lasting mark on Richland Parish.
