Daly Joseph "Cat" Doucet Sr. (November 8, 1899 – February 9, 1975) was an American politician who served as Sheriff of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana from 1936 to 1940 and 1952 to 1968.

Background

Doucet was born in Grand Prairie, Louisiana. Doucet was elected sheriff in 1936, served for four more years, and later returned in 1952 for sixteen years, his

civil rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

endorsement and anti-

segregation Segregation may refer to: Separation of people * Geographical segregation, rates of two or more populations which are not homogenous throughout a defined space * School segregation * Housing segregation * Racial segregation, separation of humans ...

stance giving Doucet enough African-American support to combat his electoral rivalry. He was investigated by the FBI for his role in the presence of gambling and prostitution in his local parish, and was once indicted for

embezzlement Embezzlement is a crime that consists of withholding assets for the purpose of conversion of such assets, by one or more persons to whom the assets were entrusted, either to be held or to be used for specific purposes. Embezzlement is a type ...

Legacy

He had six children with his wife Anna Dorcey. Doucet died at his daughter's house in New Orleans on February 9, 1975. He has been described as a colorful figure for his time. Doucet was inducted into the

Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame is a museum and hall of fame located in Winnfield, Louisiana. Created by a 1987 act of the Louisiana State Legislature, it honors the best-known politicians and political journalists in the state. H ...

in 1999.

Bibliography

*''The Cat and St. Landry'' (1972) by

Mary Alice Fontenot Mary Alice Fontenot (April 16, 1910 – May 12, 2003), born in Eunice, Louisiana, was a noted author of regional children's books, best known for the Clovis Crawfish series published by Pelican Publishing, a collection of eighteen books fea ...

and Vincent Riehl

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Doucet, Cat 1899 births 1975 deaths Cajun people Louisiana Democrats Louisiana sheriffs People from Opelousas, Louisiana 20th-century American politicians People from St. Landry Parish, Louisiana