Experience That Leads.
Service That Matters.
West Monroe | Ward 5
John Rutledge is committed to protecting our community through experienced leadership, professional service, and accountability. As your next City Marshal, he will work every day to serve the citizens of West Monroe with integrity and dedication.
Support the John Rutledge for Marshal Campaign
John Rutledge for City Marshal
Serving the City of West Monroe and Ward 5
Election Day: November 3, 2026
Early Voting: October 20–27, 2026
ABOUT
John Rutledge
Experience That Makes a Difference
John’s career has given him hands-on experience across nearly every area of law enforcement. From day-to-day operations to complex investigations and high-risk situations, his diverse background has prepared him to understand the responsibilities of the City Marshal’s Office from day one.
Diverse Law Enforcement Experience
Experience spanning communications, corrections, patrol, investigations, warrants, civil process, and K-9 operations.
Specialized Operations
Served as a K-9 Division Sergeant with experience in SWAT deployments, high-risk warrants, narcotics investigations, and the apprehension of violent offenders.
Multi-Agency Experience
Worked alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including Louisiana State Police, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs, and U.S. Secret Service.
BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE
John Rutledge began his public safety career in 1984 as a Cadet with the West Monroe Police Department. His law enforcement experience has included patrol, investigations, warrants, civil process, K-9 operations, and service with the West Monroe Marshal’s Office and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Outside of law enforcement, John served as a Signal Maintainer for Kansas City Southern Railroad from 2005 to 2023, maintaining railroad crossings, signal systems, switches, and critical safety equipment.
PLATFORM & PRIORITIES
Accountability & Fine Collection
Work with the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery and appropriate state agencies to improve the collection of unpaid fines and address failures to appear.
Improve the Eviction Process
Create a more efficient and effective eviction process within the City Marshal’s Office while ensuring the office fulfills the responsibilities entrusted to it.
Enhance Courtroom Security
Strengthen courtroom security procedures to better protect court personnel, law enforcement officers, and citizens.
Strengthen Local Partnerships
Improve cooperation between the City Marshal’s Office, West Monroe Police Department, City Administration, City Council, and other law enforcement partners.
Establish a Warrant Amnesty Program
Develop a warrant amnesty program that provides an opportunity to resolve outstanding warrants and fines while improving collections and helping individuals move forward without the continued burden of unresolved warrants.
Reduce the Burden on Taxpayers
Work toward using funds paid to the Marshal through the court to operate the Marshal’s Office, with the goal of reducing the approximately $600,000 currently provided through the city budget and freeing those funds for other community needs.
Perform the Duties of the Marshal’s Office
Ensure the City Marshal’s Office performs the responsibilities it is elected to handle rather than unnecessarily relying on the West Monroe Police Department or other city resources.
Invest in At-Risk Youth
Develop an at-risk youth program that provides positive opportunities, mentorship, and structure for young people during after-school hours and summer breaks.
Leadership & Specialized Experience
Throughout more than 40 years in public safety and law enforcement, John Rutledge has gained extensive experience in specialized operations, criminal investigations, and leadership. He served as Sergeant over the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division and participated in SWAT deployments, hostage situations, barricaded-suspect incidents, and high-risk warrant operations involving violent and dangerous offenders.
John has investigated and assisted in cases involving homicide, armed robbery, sexual assault, aggravated battery, narcotics trafficking, and other serious crimes. Through K-9 and narcotics investigations, he helped remove significant quantities of illegal drugs and cash from the streets and assisted in the arrests of violent offenders.
His career has also required extensive cooperation across jurisdictions. John has worked alongside the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs, Louisiana State Police, and other local and federal agencies on complex investigations.
Beyond law enforcement, John spent nearly two decades with Kansas City Southern Railroad, maintaining railroad crossings, signal systems, switches, and critical safety equipment. During his railroad career, he received the Stormy Kromer Award for saving a man from drowning—another example of his commitment to protecting others when called to act.
From leading specialized law enforcement operations to working alongside agencies at every level, John’s career has been defined by hands-on experience, leadership under pressure, and a commitment to public safety.
