The annual Chamber of Commerce Leadership Day was recently held at the Baxter County Sheriff's Office. Community leaders were given the opportunity to spend the day with different divisions in the Sheriff's Office. They were able to see the Detention Center, Aviation Section, and Administrative offices. Attendees got some hands-on experience at the pistol range, worked a crime scene, saw firsthand the effects of driving while intoxicated and ate jail inmate food for lunch.

Participants receive a safety briefing at the Pistol Range.

Lt. Bird and Lt. Johnson gave some quick instruction on safety and how Deputies qualify.

Lt. Hopman gave a tour of the Detention Center.

Deputy/Pilot Magness and Lt. Lucy explained the mission of the Aviation Section.

The Criminal Investigations Division gave a class on how to obtain latent fingerprints.

Participants were able to work a mock crime scene.

Deputy Julie Tilley utilized the drunk goggles and the Sheriff's Office golf cart to show the effects of impairment.

Hackler Intermediate School recently held their first 5^th grade DARE graduation at Dunbar Auditorium. These students joined a long list of 5^th grade students that had until this year graduated from Pinkston and Guy Berry schools in the Mountain Home School District. Most of the auditorium was filled with parents and friends of the students.

Sheriff John Montgomery got down off the stage to talk to students about making a positive difference.

Hackler Principal Sondra Monger and Assistant Principal Casey Fowler spoke to the 5th grade class.

Sheriff Montgomery presented a student with a Bronze Medal.

Hackler 5th grade students cross the stage as they graduate.

Students jumped to their feet when their graduating class was announced.

Guest speakers congratulate this year's class.

Mountain Home students voted for the Sheriff of Baxter County in their annual Kiwanis Club sponsored mock election at Pinkston Middle School.  Daylen Johnson, a 6th grade student, won and was able to spend the day with Sheriff John Montgomery and see what it's like.

Sheriff Montgomery explains how the Prescription Drug Drop Box works.

Sheriff Montgomery and Investigator Edings explain the CID section.

Sergeant Sanders talks to Daylen about Range safety and pistol qualification.

Lieutenant Hopman talks to Daylen about how the Sheriff's Dispatch and tower run.

Daylen gets to see the Sheriff's Helicopter.

1st grade students meet Sheriff's Deputies and get to check out some of the equipment they use.  For over 20 years Deputies have been coming to Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary School in the Mountain Home School District to display equipment and explain how it is used.  Sheriff's Deputies set up 5 separate stations that students with their teachers were able to rotate through and ask questions.

Deputy Walters and Sergeant Hurst explained the Boat and water safety.

Every student had a question.

PC and Lieutenant Hopman talked to students about being safe.

Captain Lewis and Pilot Deputy Magness explained the Helicopter's role in the Sheriff's Office.

Sergeant Sanders talked to students about scuba diving and the Sheriff's Dive Team.

All Students anticipated the Helicopter's arrival.

Lieutenant Lucy showed the students how Sheriff's Office utilized the underwater camera and sonar systems.

Norfork students in 9th grade participate in a mock election and are selected by their classmates for different elected offices that they run for.  Riley Rhymer was elected Sheriff and was able to spend the afternoon with Sheriff Montgomery and find out what being the Sheriff of Baxter County is all about.

Riley Rhymer with Sheriff Montgomery.

Riley at the Range with Sergeant Grayham.

Riley going into CID.

Deputy/Pilot Magness shows Riley the helicopter.

Riley with Sergeant Weaver in the Jail Tower.

Cotter graduated 52 5th grade students through the DARE program that is offered by the Baxter County Sheriff's Office.  These students learned about how to say no to drugs, avoid violence and deal with peer pressure and bullying.

5th grade guest speaker Mrs. Grigg spoke to students about achieving their goals.

Deputy Tilley and Sheriff Montgomery present diplomas to the graduating students.


The Cotter 2012 DARE Class.

Norfork's 4th grade DARE students, 5th grade GREAT students, and 6th grade Stop Bullying classes graduated from their programs that were sponsored by the Baxter County Sheriff's Office.  These students join the over 5000 students county wide that have participated in the Sheriff's Office school programs.

Deputy Billy Cox addresses graduates.

Sheriff Montgomery speaks to students.

Sheriff Montgomery congratulates a student.