Skip to Main Content
Baxter County Patrol Vehicle

History of the Sheriff's Office

- Click photo for more information
Sheriff John Montgomery
Sheriff John Montgomery
Term: 2005 - present

Sheriff Montgomery was elected to the position of Sheriff of Baxter County and took office in January 2005.

Sheriff Montgomery was born in West Plains, Missouri, the son of Hubert and Veva Montgomery. He is married to Karen and they live with son, Michael in Mountain Home.

Sheriff Montgomery served fifteen years with the Mountain Home Police Department (1988 to 2003), retiring with the rank of Lieutenant. He implemented the first computer system at the Police Department and helped design and program the first computerized dispatch there.

Sheriff Montgomery has served on the 911 Advisory Board and worked with city and county officials in the implementation of the 911 System in Baxter County. He was appointed to the State Steering Committee Board for the implementation of the National Incident Base Reporting System for the State of Arkansas. He has served as Legislative Chairman for the Arkansas Sheriff's Association and been very active in the community and has also served on numerous private and civic boards.

Sheriff Montgomery's passion is working with kids. He was very active in the Adopt-a-Cop children's education program at Nelson Wilkes-Heron School, working with elementary students for many years. He has worked with various youth organizations, including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and helped organized several sports programs in the area. He coached youth baseball, football and basketball teams for a number of years.

Education:

Sheriff Montgomery graduated from West Plains High School in 1977. He holds the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree from Arkansas State University Mountain Home. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected class speaker by the faculty and student body for the graduation ceremony. Sheriff Montgomery holds numerous law enforcement teaching and training certifications

 

Sheriff John  Montgomery
Sheriff John Montgomery
Term: 2005 - present
Sheriff Joe H. Edmonds
Sheriff Joe H. Edmonds
Term: 1999 - 2004 (2nd term)
Sheriff Charlie  Garrison
Sheriff Charlie Garrison
Term: 1997 - 1998
Sheriff Benny  Magness
Sheriff Benny Magness
Term: 1995 - 1996
Sheriff Joe H. Edmonds
Sheriff Joe H. Edmonds
Term: 1979 - 1995 (1st term)
Sheriff R.R. "Jack"  Gregory
Sheriff R.R. "Jack" Gregory
Term: 1971 - 1978 (2nd term)
Sheriff Don C. Cockrum
Sheriff Don C. Cockrum
Term: 1969 - 1970
Sheriff Pauline  Edmonds
Sheriff Pauline Edmonds
Term: 1968 - 1968
Sheriff Emmett  Edmonds
Sheriff Emmett Edmonds
Term: 1963 - 1968
Sheriff R.R. "Jack"  Gregory
Sheriff R.R. "Jack" Gregory
Term: 1957 - 1962 (1st term)
Sheriff J.D.  King
Sheriff J.D. King
Term: 1951 - 1956
Sheriff Ernie  Gentry
Sheriff Ernie Gentry
Term: 1945 - 1950
Sheriff Harvey S. Powell
Sheriff Harvey S. Powell
Term: 1941 - 1944
Sheriff Jim  Martin
Sheriff Jim Martin
Term: 1928 - 1940 (2nd term)
Sheriff Robert Sims Hurst
Sheriff Robert Sims Hurst
Term: 1925 - 1928 (2nd term)
Sheriff Jim  Martin
Sheriff Jim Martin
Term: 1921 - 1925 (1st term)
Sheriff Robert Sims Hurst
Sheriff Robert Sims Hurst
Term: 1913 - 1921 (1st term)
Sheriff Leon  Mooney
Sheriff Leon Mooney
Term: 1907 - 1912
Sheriff Eugene  Mooney
Sheriff Eugene Mooney
Term: 1904 - 1907
Sheriff R. H.  Hudson
Sheriff R. H. Hudson
Term: 1901 - 1904
Sheriff G. W.  Foster
Sheriff G. W. Foster
Term: 1897 - 1900
Sheriff R. M.  Hancock
Sheriff R. M. Hancock
Term: 1895 - 1896
Sheriff W.F.  Eatman
Sheriff W.F. Eatman
Term: 1894 - 1894
Sheriff Samuel  Livingston
Sheriff Samuel Livingston
Term: 1893 - 1894
Sheriff C.A.  Eatman
Sheriff C.A. Eatman
Term: 1892 - 1892
Sheriff Abraham G. Byler
Sheriff Abraham G. Byler
Term: 1891 - 1892 (2nd term)
Sheriff Jacob H. Wolf
Sheriff Jacob H. Wolf
Term: 1885 - 1890
Sheriff Abraham G. Byler
Sheriff Abraham G. Byler
Term: 1873 - 1884 (1st term)