BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Quorum Court on Thursday unanimously approved appointing Meyer Gilbert sheriff, the post vacated when Kelley Cradduck agreed to resign as soon his replacement is sworn in. Gilbert will serve through Dec. 31, when Cradduck's term would have ended.
Gilbert thanked the justices of the peace for their support and said he has started to acquaint himself with the sheriff's office.
"I have already been to the sheriff's office today," he said. "I was well-received. There are a lot of good men and women out there. We're off and running. We're excited about it. The Benton County sheriff's office is going to be back where it should be in the eyes of the public."
Justice of the Peace Tom Allen praised Gilbert and the other seven candidates who offered their services as the interim sheriff.
County Judge Bob Clinard echoed Allen's thanks to the candidates and to Gilbert after swearing in the new sheriff.
"We're looking forward to a lot of good things happening out there by the end of the year," Clinard said.
Cradduck faces a felony charge, accused of tampering with a public record, and a misdemeanor tampering charge. He is set for a three-day jury trial in September, but a hearing in the case is scheduled for today. He pleaded innocent to the charges. The Quorum Court approved paying Cradduck nearly $80,000 to resign.
Shawn Holloway, who until recently was a major at the sheriff's office, defeated Cradduck in the Republican primary in March. Holloway faces Glenn Latham, an independent candidate, in the November election.
Gilbert, 51, has spent more than 22 years in law enforcement beginning with the Clarksdale, Miss., Police Department, where he reached the rank of captain. He left that department to serve with the United Nations mission in Kosovo, where he was chief of regional police operations from 2001 to 2003.
Gilbert returned to Mississippi in 2009 and became chief deputy with the Coahoma County sheriff's office, serving until 2014. He told the justices of the peace he and his wife moved to Northwest Arkansas as they were looking for a place to raise a family. Since 2014 he has worked with Arvest Bank.
Metro on 04/29/2016