F.O. "Potch" Didier

Who was F.O. "Potch" Didier?

Fabius Odell Didier, Jr., known as Potch Didier, was a flamboyant Democratic sheriff of Avoyelles Parish in south Central Louisiana, who served from 1960-1980. In 1970, Didier was tried, convicted and served a seven-day sentence in his own jail for malfeasance in office.

Nevertheless, the newspaper publisher Jim R. Levy, formerly of the Bunkie Record in Bunkie in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, proclaims Didier "the best sheriff Avoyelles Parish ever had." According to Levy, Didier and District Attorney Charles Riddle, Jr., were at odds. Charges were filed, and the case went to trial. John Boatner prosecuted for the DA's office, and Joe Tritiko, a prominent attorney from Lake Charles, the seat of Calcasieu Parish, was the defense counsel.

"It was the biggest trial in the parish, It was an amazing spectacle. When it was all over, Potch was sentenced to ninety days in the parish jail, meaning he would only have to serve 45 days. He ended up serving just seven days with good behavior, which he would serve in his own jail. I remember that first night he began his sentence, he cooked an andouille gumbo. He served his sentence, and eventually everything got back to normal, In fact, he was re-elected..." again in 1972 and 1975, recalls Levy.