It’s no secret that the best law enforcement officers are those who have a passion for protecting the community members they serve. Many were recently honored for their dedication, sacrifice and commitment to making Arkansas a safer place.
The 15th annual Arkansas Law Enforcement Summit, hosted by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, took place Oct. 3 at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock.
Sharp County Sheriff Mark Counts was named Regional Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Northeast Region; Investigator Johnny Byler with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office was named Independence County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year; and Sgt. John Dodd II of the Cabot Police Department was named Lonoke County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Counts said he feels both honored and humbled to receive the award, but he wasn’t expecting the nomination.
“Law enforcement is a field I have always wanted to be in since I was child. I have been involved in law enforcement for 20 years now, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I absolutely love helping people,” he said.
Counts said he has been sheriff for seven years and held the titles of deputy, detective and detective sergeant before becoming sheriff.
Solving crimes for victims and helping children who have been abused are his main goals, he said.
“One of the most memorable experiences I have had is starting Shop With a Cop in my county two years ago,” Counts said. “Law enforcement from all over the county come together each year and raise money for less-fortunate children. Our officers then have the opportunity to take the children shopping for Christmas presents. It is a blessing to see the children get so excited.”
Counts said it’s important for officers to be careful during each shift and remember that they have families to go home to.
“On Oct. 7, 2016, I was exposed to meth-lab chemicals while conducting a search warrant. I couldn’t breathe and lost my voice. I was in the ICU for several days, and when I got out, I started an extensive rehabilitation program to get my strength back and build my lungs up to get my voice back,” he said.
“Today I feel a 100 percent better but still am unable to talk. I recently met with a voice specialist who is helping me and assured me that I will be talking soon. My goal currently is to get my voice back so that I can continue to help others.”
Counts said anyone interested in entering the law enforcement field should first make sure he or she has a servant’s heart.
Byler said that while he’s happy about receiving the award for Independence County, his entire department deserves the recognition for the hard work they do together each day.
He became a police officer in 2006 after learning about the job by riding along with his brother-in-law, Investigator Bobby Woods, Byler said.
Woods is now Byler’s partner.
“I’m a narcotics detective here, and so is he,” Byler said.
Every now and then, he said, someone who has been arrested in the past will actively work to improve his future.
“Two years ago, I arrested a kid who was young, maybe around 20ish, for meth. They all tell me that they want help and will change, and most of the time that doesn’t happen. They get out of jail or prison and start again,” he said.
“A year and a half later, I stopped to get a drink at a gas station, and this kid walks up and tells me his name. He’s 50 pounds heavier than last time I saw him, and he hugged me and thanked me for saving his life. It’s nice actually knowing that you did help someone,” he said.
Dodd has been a police officer for more than 10 years, starting at the North Little Rock Police Department before moving to the Cabot Police Department, where he has served for the past 8 1/2 years.
He is currently a sergeant for the School Resource Officer Program, he said.
“I felt honored and humbled at the same time. It always feels good to be recognized for your hard work,” Dodd said.
Dodd said he enjoys helping people and solving problems, and he initially entered the career field to make his community a better place.
“I want to be a part of what makes our community great,” he said. “I hope the kids at school hold the lessons we teach them in their heart and make good choices as they grow up. One day, when I hang up my duty belt for the last time, I want to say, ‘This community is a better place because of the work we did as a police department.’”
Dodd said his day-to-day inspiration comes from his faith and his family, and that God blesses everyone with unique talents and opportunities.
“My family inspires me to be a better person — a better husband, a better father and a better police officer,” he said.
Dodd said he admires the first group of cadets who graduated from the Cabot Police Department’s Special Needs Junior Police Academy he started earlier this year.
Every cadet worked and trained hard, he said, and persevered through the obstacles they faced.
“If we all looked at our jobs and lives through their eyes, our world would be a better place,” Dodd said. “I would love to see our special-needs program grow and serve more kids in our area.”
Staff writer Kayla Baugh can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or kbaugh@arkansasonline.com.