ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — Warren Montgomery -- district attorney for much of the Northshore -- has died at 68 after battling cancer.
The 22nd Judicial District, which covers parts of St. Tammany and Washington Parishes had been served by Montgomery since 2015. After, the Republican succeeded the three decade tenure of former District Attorney Walter Reed.
Slidell Police Department officials said on Saturday that they were saddened by Montgomery's passing.
"He was a good man who always had the best interest of St. Tammany Parish in his heart," Slidell police officials said. "DA Montgomery was tough on crime, yet had a gentle hand and would listen to everyone."
Re-elected in a landslide win in 2020, despite a cancer diagnosis, Montgomery had more than three years left in his term. Colin Sims, Montgomery's first assistant, is expected to serve as district attorney until an election can be held for the remaining half of Montgomery's term.
Montgomery had been diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2019, which eventually spread to his lungs.
"The purpose of life isn't to win or lose," Montgomery told a NOLA.com reporter in 2020. "You do the best you can with what you have, and whatever the result is, you don't look back."
Montgomery is survived by his wife, Valerie, they have five children together.
