You wonder why we loot – because you’re teaching us what hate is. © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. "He said that he didn't mean it, but how do you not mean something when you continuously say it," said Jackie Diva, a representative from Black Lives Matter living in Arkansas who detoured from a planned trip to Washington to come to DeWitt and speak to the court. EMERGENCY DIAL 911 (Fire, Ambulance, or Police) Administative Offices. Todd Wright Arkansas County An Arkansas sheriff has resigned after being caught on tape unleashing a racist tirade at the mother of his kids — calling her a “n—- … Arkansas County Sherrif Todd Wright resigned from his post after a racist rant at a supermarket was caught on camera and went viral on social media. In these tense times and on the day of the anniversary of the March on Washington, the recording quickly drew national attention. “The guy he was speaking of, that’s my nephew,” said Betty Wofford. He said there have been signs of anger and aggression from Wright in the recent past, but the audio unsettled him. 24-hour Phones: 870-658-2242 870-762-2243. Other incorporated towns in Drew County are Wilmar, Tillar, Jerome, and Winchester. Ex-Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright was apparently secretly recorded speaking his racist mind in public, at one point even calling a woman a … "When I heard, I was like, 'wow,'" said Consuela McKinzie, a mother and owner of a funeral home in DeWitt, who was among many who crowded around Court Square to call for action against Wright. Michael Devoe led the Yellow Jackets with 22 points and 6 assists, while Moses Wright and Jordan Usher each scored 21 for Georgia Tech. Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright resigned Friday after a recording of him using racial slurs made its rounds on social media. With his body language slouched in his chair, he addressed the room stating what was done was in the privacy of his own home. “You know I love you, but you screwed up. “I am by no means a racist. Blaming his actions on the devil, Wright said the video was recorded because he was mad at Middlebrooks because he missed a funeral of his friend, who was Black. “I’m a Christian man. Clemson vs. Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets showed no rust after 17 days off since their last game, as they defeated #20 Clemson 83-65. 'It's surreal in the worst possible way':Kenosha reels after Jacob Blake shooting and a week of violence, Portland:1 dead after protesters, Trump supporters clash. Craighead County is one of the few in Arkansas that has dual county seats. now resigned Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright, Videos of Jacob Blake, Kyle Rittenhouse shootings prompt fierce debate over race and justice, Kenosha reels after Jacob Blake shooting and a week of violence, 1 dead after protesters, Trump supporters clash, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. DEWITT, Ark.- Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright has resigned after a video of him using racial slurs made the rounds on social media. i FOREWORD This County Sheriff’s procedures manual was compiled by the Association of Arkansas Counties staff and reviewed Welcome to Johnson County, Arkansas! Spectators in the audience could be heard shouting, “just resign and get it over with” but Wright was adamant about his position causing the majority of the audience to leave in the middle of the meeting. Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright resigned at the request of the county's Quorum Court after the Pine Bluff Commercial reported a five-minute audio recording circulated on Facebook this week. “What you did on that video brought a world of separation.”. ©2013 - 2021 Faulkner County, Arkansas. He also mentioned many of his Black constituents whom he had formed bonds with. Wright made a statement to the court, but after initially asking for a chance to "put his affairs in order," a local pastor convinced him to resign immediately. The county seat, Mountain View, was incorporated in 1890 and we have a population of approximately 12,000 residents. ESPN+ Fantasy Tools: Play Like an Expert, Even If You Aren’t. In a five-minute audio recording circulating on Facebook, an extremely disparaging and offensive term used to describe a black person was repeated over and over. 220 North Gaskill Huntsville, AR 72740 . County Judge Thomas Best, the county… Mailing Address. With multiple confirmed Coronavirus cases in Arkansas, Benton County wants to provide its residents with all available information. The recording is of a man who uses a racial slur nine times after becoming upset that a woman he was with spoke to a black person in a grocery store. Aug. 29 (UPI) --An Arkansas sheriff resigned Friday after a recording of a racist tirade surfaced this week.On Thursday The Pine Bluff Commercial identified Arkansas County Sheriff … Cell Phone: (479) 737-4225. Wright, you need to resign today but beyond that, the policing in this county has to be totally changed,” said Arkansas County Attorney Furonda Brasfield, who is pushing to get a county investigation by the FBI for the alleged corrupt system of law enforcement in Arkansas County. The recording was five minutes long. Stone County was created April 21, 1873 to become the 74th county in Arkansas. Kenosha:Videos of Jacob Blake, Kyle Rittenhouse shootings prompt fierce debate over race and justice. Dispatch. One by one, emotional comments swayed the energy in the courtroom. That video does not show the true picture of me.”. Nine Times. Wright can be heard using the n-word nine times, while berating a female for speaking to a Black person at a grocery store. Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright resigned Friday after a recording of him using racial slurs made its rounds on social media. “If it’s in your heart, in your mind and you say it, you mean it,” said McLemore. Inside the courtroom, a Black mother with a white husband stated her daughter had spent the night at Wright’s home with his niece said she has witnessed the same racial antics. Ash Flat is the county seat. Lay that badge down, lay that gun down and walk out of here.”. The move came at a special meeting of the county quorum court and came on the day after a hurricane swept through the county, ending Wright's 26-year career with the department. "Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life in our community by enforcing the law, preserving the peace, preventing crime, and providing educational information while … Welcome to the Madison County Sheriff's Office Web Site . McLemore expressed the fear she had for inmates the Sheriff Department oversees. I moved to Arkansas as a teen, graduated from West Fork High School, and began my law enforcement career in 1979 with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, working in communications as a dispatcher and later as a field deputy. A special Quorum Court meeting was held Friday morning at the Arkansas County Courthouse to discuss Wright’s behavior and present a resolution requesting his resignation. Middlebrooks was on the receiving end of verbal threats from Wright after she made a friendly encounter with a Black employee. Contact Numbers. She secretly recorded Wright as he expressed rage and repeatedly used a racist slur against Black people. “If the head is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt,” McLemore said. 20 Clemson. Sheriff Long respected as the county's top lawman, the sheriff has a range of duties that include criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, operation of the jail and other responsibilities. Wright said he didn’t mean it that way, but after enough people […] Inmates began being housed in the jail in April of 1999. Arkansas Co Ashley Co Baxter Co* Benton Co* Boone Co* Bradley Co* Calhoun Co* Carroll Co* Chicot Co Clark Co Clay Co Cleburne Co* Cleveland Co Columbia Co* Conway Co* Craighead Co* Crawford Co* Crittenden Co Cross Co* Dallas Co Desha Co Drew Co* Faulkner Co Franklin Co Fulton Co* Garland Co* Grant Co* “I’ve said things that I shouldn’t of said but as far as racism, I don’t condone it,” said Wright. Duties of the sheriff include: Providing security for the operation of county and district courts; VineLink. 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Wofford described her nephew as a family man, who works two jobs. The county was formed December 13, 1838, from a portion of Marion County and named for Richard Searcy, the first clerk and judge in the Arkansas Territory. Johnson County is Arkansas's 30th county, formed on November 16, 1833, from a portion of Pope County and named for Benjamin Johnson, a Territorial Judge. “He wouldn’t come here today. Mississippi County Sheriff's Office Emergency 911. It was formed from parts of Izard, Independence, Searcy and Van Buren and was named for the rugged rock formations in the area. – A casual conversation at a grocery store in DeWitt, Arkansas, led to a racist rant between now resigned Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright and the mother of his child, Desiree Middlebrooks. We are located on I-40 and the Arkansas River between Little Rock and Fort Smith. “Mr. A window view outside the courtroom displayed protesting in the front lawn of the courthouse.. Administrator Email: pjailer2121@gmail.com. “You wonder why we riot. PINE BLUFF, Ark. Arkansas County Judge Eddie Best made it known to the public the court did not have the authority to fire Wright and could only request him to resign. Monticello is the area’s only urban center and is the county seat. Phone: 1-870-946-1421. Arkansas County Phone 870-946-4321 Address 101 Court Square De Witt, AR 72042 The chief deputy of the department is in charge until the quorum court either appoints a replacement or calls a special election. The goal of the Benton County jail is to create a safe, secure and humane environment for both staff members and inmates. "The magnitude of the audio, I was extremely shocked," Judge Best said. With a change of heart, Wright announced he would resign in a month. The quorum court called a special meeting Friday morning asking for his resignation. Jail/Detention The Benton County jail was opened for employee training and orientation in January 1999. After about an hour, he turned over his badge and gun to a some applause in the gallery. He doesn’t like this kind of stuff but he’s hurt.”. Todd apologized for his actions but the public demanded for a resignation. Wright admitted he was in the video. The media attention of the viral recording reached millions of ears, attracting the attention of civil rights leaders and national activist abroad. Pope County Sheriff's Department. The Arkansas County Quorum court met in special session this morning at 10 a.m. to discuss a resolution requesting the resignation of Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright. Sheriffs of Washington County + Sheriffs 1991 - Present; Sheriffs 1941 - 1990; Sheriffs 1908 - 1940; Sheriffs 1866 - 1908; Sheriffs 1828 - 1866; Wants/Warrants + Warrants Search; Sheriff's Most Wanted; Sheriff's Deadbeat Moms and Dads The population is about 17,000. Wright’s body language changed from an unbothered slouch to an attentive and direct as his eyes began to well with tears. “After viewing and hearing the video I was terribly upset to know that we have someone out here that’s supposed to be taking care of us, protecting and serving to have that kind of opinion of me – I’m using me as a race because of my color,” said Justice of the Peace Inez McLemore. I read my bible everyday,” said Wright. He was identified at a … God's Servant For your Good . August 29, 2020 by Andy Towle 50 Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright resigned on Friday after a five-minute recording in which he used the N … Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. Arkansas County Sheriff - Southern District Address 1000 Ricebelt Avenue, DeWitt, Arkansas, 72042 Phone 870-946-3161 The move came at a special meeting of the county … Site Map | Accessibility. They will meet Sept. 7. Drew County was established November 26, 1846, and was named for the third governor of Arkansas, Thomas S. Drew. Todd Wright, who was elected Arkansas County sheriff in 2017, submitted his resignation on Friday, effectively immediately, according to an NBC News report. Phone: 479-738-5612 Fax: 479-738-5299. There’s no excuse for bigotry & hatred. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association does not support legislation that restricts current gun possession and current gun sales to our citizens that weakens our 2nd Amendment Rights. Arkansas Sheriffs' Association. The agency is led by the Arkansas County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every four years. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. The jail … We are divided into two districts by law: the Western District-Jonesboro, and Eastern District-Lake City. “If the head is poisonous, you have to look at the whole body.”. “We want your resignation today,” Smith said. Drew County Sheriff's Office. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets move to 3-1 in ACC play with the 83-65 win over No. “I do wish that you would resign or get fired.”. PINE BLUFF, Ark. Wright initially said he was not going to resign. As the floor opened for public comment family and friends of Clark addressed Wright with hurt in their voices and pain in their hearts. That is not what we want to do.”. “I don’t feel that was right for you to call him out of his name like that,” she said stating her son hasn’t been back to work due to hurt and embarrassment. “I don’t believe anything you just said. Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright resigned Friday at the request of the county's Quorum Court after the Pine Bluff Commercial reported a … “I’m praying you go get some help and stop using the devil as an excuse,” she said. Outside the courthouse, families of locally notorious unsolved cases expressed their frustration while warily wondering how much change Wright's resignation would bring. The Arkansas County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. Allen F. Cheek 312 South College Stuttgart, Arkansas 72160 Phone: (870)673-2121 Fax: (870)673-7021 County: Arkansas "Clean the town up, so we can let our kids live free.". 201 West Main Street Huntsville, AR 72740 . Sharp County was formed in 1868, from a part of Lawrence County and was named for Ephraim Sharp who was a member of the State Legislature representing Lawrence, Randolph and Greene counties when the new county was formed. You have to say this stuff because you want to keep your job,” said Wofford who also expressed how Wright has not engaged himself with the community of DeWitt in his position as Sheriff. The resolution stated his conduct was detrimental for him to perform his duties. Chief Deputy Phone: (870) 946-3161. Address: 685 North County Road 599 Luxora, Arkansas 72358. An audio clip began circulating on Facebook late Wednesday night in which Wright uses racial slurs and offensive language describing an employee at Piggly Wiggly in DeWitt. Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright has resigned after he was allegedly recorded using racial slurs against black people. An Arkansas sheriff resigned Friday after coming under fire over a leaked racist recording. Faulkner County Sheriff's Office Searcy County is located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. "Let's just clean the town up," said McKinzie, as she stood with two of her college-age sons. In a limited capacity of 90 people allowed in the courtroom due to COVID-19, many community members expressed their hurt, anger and outrage among themselves as they waited for their turn to vocally express it directly to Wright, who sat in the corner of the courtroom. Such discrimination in no way reflects our values as Americans, Arkansans & law enforcement officers.". County Judge Eddie Best called the meeting on Thursday after the recording came to his attention. PO Box 476 Huntsville, AR 72740 . Floored to tears, Wright surrendered his badge and gun and embraced Webb. Arkansas Sheriffs. You need to take that badge and (set) it on that table and walk out of here Todd,” said former officer Bobby Webb, who said he has known Wright for decades. But a former DeWitt police officer kept pressure on him to resign immediately. Searcy County Sheriff's Office. Chief Deputy: Randy Bateman. Traveling to Arkansas earlier that morning, she told Wright if he didn’t want people coming to the city to protest, he needed to resign immediately. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge responded to the news of Wright's resignation in a tweet, stating: "The resignation of the sheriff from Arkansas County is appropriate. Sheriff Rick Evans Protecting and Serving the Citizens of Madison County . Administrative Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To visit the full website for the Pope County Sheriff's Office, click the following link: http://www.popecoso.org/. Fax: (479) 738-5299. The Arkansas County Quorum Court passed a resolution requesting the resignation of Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright unanimously. Mississippi County, Arkansas. Arkansas County Judge Eddie Best and several Justices of the Peace were bothered by the audio recording and have consulted with legal counsel to address the matter. Administrator: Patricia Snyder. – A casual conversation at a grocery store in DeWitt, Arkansas, led to a racist rant between now resigned Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright and the … “Todd, I’ve known you all my life. “I traveled a long ways to let you know Todd, it’s unacceptable,” she said. "I hate that, and I said early on we done this with a sadness and a heavy heart, but things had to be done," said Judge Best, who added he didn't think Wright's apparent racism permeated the sheriff's department. A remorseful Wright announced his resignation, effective immediately. Jackie Smith, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, is a national activist by way of Atlanta, Chicago and New York, known for her works for equality and justice for people of color. Arkansas County Sheriffs 2018 Procedures Manual Association of Arkansas Counties 1415 W. Third Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 372-7550 FAX (501) 372-0611 www.arcounties.org. 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