Following in Dad’s footsteps

Father and son serve as sheriffs in neighboring counties

Story by Sarah Perry Communications Coordinator

Tim Nichols is the newest sheriff in Drew County and the son of Chicot County Sheriff Ronald Nichols.

Ronald began his career in law enforcement working in his hometown for the Eudora Police Department before joining the Chicot County Sheriff’s Office in 1996.

“I always wanted to be a police officer,” Ronald said.

After the previous sheriff retired, Ronald was elected sheriff in 2006. He said he never envisioned being a sheriff alongside his son until it became a reality. Actually, Ronald was apprehensive about his son’s career choice in the beginning. Knowing that officers work long hours for low pay, he hoped his son would choose a different path for life.

“I really wanted him to choose a different career … but I never did discourage him,” Ronald said with a chuckle. “He liked it. I guess it was in his blood.”

Now, he said that the highlight of his career has been to have his son working as a fellow sheriff in a neighboring county.

Tim grew up wanting to be a police officer just like his dad.

“I remember playing Matchbox cars and always being the cop,” he said, adding that his favorite number is six because of his dad’s badge number. “I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

In his law enforcement career, Tim has worked for a few agencies, including the Drew County Sheriff’s Office, Warren Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

He originally ran for Drew County sheriff in 2018 but was defeated. He took on another campaign in 2022 and successfully beat the incumbent.

Tim calls his dad his hero and said he is always willing to call him for advice if he has a question or concern. Both men agree that having a special bond with a neighboring sheriff is a huge benefit.

“I can contact my hero, ask him questions about work or personal issues … because I’m sure he has faced it,” Tim said.

Ronald added that it is important for all sheriffs new and old to work together and build relationships.

“When I started years ago, I relied on older sheriffs that I met through the Sheriffs Association,” he said. “It’s good to have people to call on and look to for advice when you’re new in the game. I love working with other sheriffs and try to share my experiences now from throughout the years I’ve had.”

While speaking about newly incoming sheriffs like his son, Ronald said, “They are new, but they are smart. Everyone that I have met, they are levelheaded, and we can feed off of each other. Networking is what it is all about.”

It is no surprise that the father and son pair share a similar take on their jobs. Tim did learn everything from his dad.

When asked about the biggest piece of advice he received from his dad, Tim referenced a letter his dad wrote to him after he graduated from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy.

In his letter, his father told him that he will be held to a higher standard, to put his family first and to treat people well.

“Most people are good people just trying to make it in life,” Tim said. Ronald also told his son to be out in the community to visit with people and let them know he is there for them.

Ronald, who refers to himself as a “working sheriff,” takes his own advice to heart.

“Being from a small rural county, you have to take calls. You have to dispatch out at times. You have to do whatever it takes, and the people want to see the sheriff,” he said. “I got out and worked with the guys. I wouldn’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Ronald noted that as sheriff he also feels it is important to listen to people and care for them, even if he doesn’t always agree with them.

In his first few months in office, Tim said he has made improvements in line with his campaign slogan of faith, family and community.

“We have got to have faith in not only our Lord and Savior, but we also have to have faith in one another … We have to have faith in the community. What we do is for the community and for the betterment of it,” he said.

Tim explained he has worked to build camaraderie among the staff at the Drew County Sheriff’s Office and has developed a Class A uniform to increase professionalism. Along with responding to calls, Tim said deputies attend a wide variety of community events to build rapport with the people they serve.

In the county jail, Tim has been able to drastically cut food costs by buying local products and is working to start new programs for those housed within the facility.