Two Independence County Sheriff's Office deputies were recognized Monday night for their decisive life-saving actions during separate overdose emergencies earlier this year. At the county's quorum court meeting, Sheriff Shawn Stephens awarded Chief Deputy Aaron Moody and Corporal Trevor Clark with Naloxone Life-Saving Awards. The awards highlight the effective administration of the opioid-reversing drug Narcan in critical situations.
Cpl. Trevor Clark recounted his experience responding to an emergency call on May 18, where he suspected an overdose based on observed symptoms. Acting on his training, he administered Narcan and saw the drug take immediate effect for the first time in his career. "You never truly know what you’ll encounter when you respond to a call," Clark said, noting that signs of medical distress may stem from various causes such as heart attacks, strokes, or diabetes-related issues. Clark, who joined the sheriff’s office in May of this year, said he remains prepared to face the unexpected in every situation.
Chief Deputy Aaron Moody shared a similar story from a June 8 call in the southern part of the county. He encountered an unresponsive individual with uncertain exposure to substances. Moody relied on Narcan to stabilize the person’s condition. Having entered law enforcement at 19, Moody emphasized that his career has always been centered on assisting others and protecting human life. "You’re doing everything you can with the hope that the individual recovers and moves forward in life," Moody stated.
Sheriff Stephens expressed pride in his department’s preparedness, crediting grants that have made it possible for officers to carry Narcan since 2017 at no cost to the county. "This readiness has allowed our team to potentially save lives in critical moments," Stephens said.
In his monthly report to the quorum court, Stephens noted 140 crimes were reported in September, a reduction from prior months. The department cleared 105 cases during the same period and served 100 civil process papers. Other statistics included 107 warrants served, 26 warrants attempted, and 132 jail bookings, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,123. He also highlighted the recovery of $157,671 in stolen property for the month, including vehicles and tools.
Other business before the quorum court included updates on county road repairs, tax collections, and a lawsuit concerning a repealed ballot measure. Independence County crews recently deposited over 500 truckloads of asphalt on damaged roads, according to Judge Kevin Jeffery, while September tax collections reflected a 1.4% increase compared to the same month last year. Additionally, County Attorney Daniel Haney announced that a local court dismissed a legal challenge asserting the unconstitutionality of the quorum court’s decision to repeal a paper ballot ordinance passed by voters.
The court also approved appropriations for county projects, including $20,000 for the purchase of new automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Funding came from contributions by the Arkansas Attorney General and Arkansas Blue Cross.
Monday’s meeting concluded with recognition of National 4-H Week, as proclaimed by Judge Jeffery. Independence County 4-H officials underscored the variety of programming available to area youths, including opportunities to compete at district and national levels.
Three justices of the peace, Tammy Pearce, Cliff Barnett, and Johnny Abbott, were absent at Monday's session.