Richard Euell Porter

On Sept. 8, 2023 God opened His loving arms and welcomed Rick Porter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  His 71-year old body, which had been suffering from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, is now healed.  With his new vibrant body and mind, he has been greeted by relatives and friends who have preceded him to his new heavenly home.

Rick was born in Shreveport, LA on March 1, 1952 to Aubrey Euell Porter and Thelma (Horton) Porter.  He spent most of his childhood in Haughton, LA.  In 1966 his family moved to Benton, LA.  He was a 1970 graduate of Benton High School.  Upon graduation he enlisted into the U. S. Navy and served a tour of duty as a Seawolf Helicopter mechanic in Viet Nam.  During this time Rick was exposed to “Agent Orange”, a very toxic herbicide that was used to kill off the vegetation that concealed enemy troops that posed a danger to our troops.  It was later determined that this exposure was probably responsible for his heart problems and dementia problems later in his life. 

In 1976, Rick decided to follow his father’s footsteps and joined the Louisiana State Police.  He was very dedicated to his career in law enforcement.  He was a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Instructor and an Intoxilyzer 5000 Instructor.  He became one of the first Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) in Louisiana and later became a DRE Instructor.  He taught numerous classes in these subjects throughout the USA, but mostly taught law enforcement officers throughout Louisiana.  He was well-respected by his peers and students.  He was also called upon to testify in many courtrooms as an expert witness in DWI enforcement cases.  Rick retired from LSP after a 21 year career.  But he wasn’t finished yet.

In 2000 Rick went to work for the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.  He started in booking, but eventually went into patrol.  He loved his job!  During this time he completed a series of classes to become a Crash Reconstructionist.  He spent his career doing DWI enforcement and working major crashes.  He also continued teaching various classes.  He retired from CPSO after a 20 year career. During his career with LSP and CPSO he arrested nearly 2,500 impaired drivers.  He received several awards during his career for DWI enforcement and for his work with the DRE program.

Rick also enjoyed his private time.  He enjoyed family reunions, fish fries, Christmas Eve family get-togethers and deer hunting with his wife, Vivian.  He thoroughly enjoyed listening to and downloading music, especially blues and rock-and-roll.  He spent many hours making CDs and passing them out to family members, co-workers and friends.  Many times he made himself available to assist family and friends in their times of need.  He was indeed a man with a big heart.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey E. and Thelma Porter; brother, Donnie Wayne Porter; paternal grandparents, Emmett and Sudie Porter; maternal grandparents, D. A. and Hallie Horton; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lamar and Marie White; brothers-in-law, Dennis White and Lamar White, Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Vivian Porter; son, James “Jim” Porter; daughter, Janice Cox (Keith) and Pam Woods (Chris); grandchildren; Aidan Skinner, Zack Porter, Zoey Porter, Noah Woods and Morgan Woods; brothers, Victor Porter and Steve Porter (Brenda).  Rick truly loved his family and they all love him.  He will be greatly missed.

There will be a visitation for family on 09/11/2023 (4-5 PM) and for the public (5-7 PM) pm.at Boone Funeral Home (2156 Airline Drive; Bossier City, LA 71111).  The funeral service will be on 09/12/2023 (10:00 AM)at Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church, located at 730 Sailes Fire Tower Road off LA 154 about 5 miles east of Jamestown, LA in Bienville Parish. Officiating the service will be Pastor Mickey McDaniel.  The burial will be at the church cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers are Keith Cox, Leslie Porter, David Jett, Whit Graves, Chris Woods and Steve Porter.

The family would like to thank the personnel of the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City and Christus Hospice for the care they provided to Rick during the time he was there.

The family is requesting that instead of sending flowers or plants to the funeral home or the church, please make a donation in Rick’s name to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home (Wing 400); Address: 3130 Arthur Ray Teague Pkwy.; Bossier City, LA 71112.