The DeSoto Parish community is grieving the loss of one of its fire chiefs.
DeSoto Fire District No. 1 Chief Rusty Canton took his own life Thursday at a relative’s vacant home located across the highway from the fire station, confirmed Sheriff Jayson Richardson, a lifelong friend of Canton’s who was one of the first people to arrive at the scene.
“Today, DeSoto Parish lost a friend in emergency services. Chief Rusty Canton was a leader and was deeply committed and fought for betterment of all areas public safety. Rusty was like family to many of us and we truly are without words to express the void we feel. We ask for prayers for his family as well as the entire community in this time of loss,” Richardson said on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.
DeSoto EMS, where Canton served on the board of commissioners, posted this: “We don’t have the words to express the sadness felt throughout our Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement community today. We have truly lost a great man and his absence will be felt for a long time to come. Chief Rusty Canton was not just the fire chief of Desoto Fire District One, he was also a friend, leader, and an advocate for all first responders throughout our Parish. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the men and women of DeSoto Fire District One.”
The Canton name has been associated with the fire district for years, as his father, Jack Canton, served as fire chief before his retirement. Rusty Canton, a former veteran Shreveport city firefighter, then stepped into the role.
Shreveport Fire Chief Scott Wolverton added his thoughts about Canton: “Today, Shreveport Fire Department and DeSoto Parish Fire District One (Logansport, LA) lost one of our brothers. Rusty Canton, Fire Chief of Desoto District One, served 21 years for SFD making emergency calls, serving our citizens, and saving lives and property. He was a good friend, brother, and mentor to many. I had the privilege of being in the 37th Fire Basic Training Class with Rusty when we came to work together in 1993. He has been my friend for 26 years. He always had a smile on his face and an encouraging word. He was highly skilled professional firefighter who made a difference serving others in Shreveport and Logansport. We will all miss him dearly. SFD extends our most sincere sympathies to his family and his DeSoto Fire District One family. You all will remain in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and give you comfort and His peace during this time of loss.”
Canton had been one of the driving forces over the past year advocating for change with DeSoto Parish’s 911 system. Despite criticism from some of the police jurors, Canton stood his ground on behalf of all emergency services at many of the Police Jury’s meetings demanding the governing body make changes to the administration and operations of 911 to improve service to the community.
That finally happened in January when the Police Jury abolished the 911 board and demoted the administrator. On Friday, the Police Jury president and Richardson are set to sign an agreement that officially puts 911 under the authority of the sheriff’s office.
Canton’s death is expected to put a cloud over this weekend’s River City Fest in Logansport –- held just blocks away from the fire station. The committee has announced plans for a moment of silence and balloon release at 7 p.m. Saturday in his memory.
