Speaker Johnson Appoints DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board

WASHINGTON - On Thursday, Speaker Johnson appointed DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board, which reviews nominations and recommends individuals to receive the Medal of Valor.

"I am pleased to appoint DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board," Speaker Johnson said. "As a dedicated, trusted leader in North Louisiana, Sheriff Richardson is an excellent fit for this role, and I am confident he will be an asset to the Board and its mission of honoring the brave heroes of the public safety community."

BACKGROUND:

The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board is an eleven-member board appointed by the President, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the U.S. Senate. The Board, which falls under the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice, reviews nominations and recommends individuals for recognition of the Medal of Valor issued by the President. For more information on the Board, visit their website: Review Board | Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Sheriff Richardson has served three terms as Sheriff of DeSoto Parish and was elected in 2025 as Vice President of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association. In 2023, Sheriff Richardson unveiled the "Friends of the Sheriff" program, which alerts first responders if someone inside a vehicle or home has special needs. This initiative has since launched statewide. Sheriff Richardson is also a founding board member of Faith and Fostering, a faith-based organization in Northwest Louisiana aiding homeless young adults in housing and employment opportunities. He now serves as Vice President of the board.

Sheriff Richardson's appointment to the Board has been entered into the Congressional Record of the United States House of Representatives. Click here to view his appointment.