Sheriff John Montgomery

Sheriff Montgomery was elected to the position of Sheriff of Baxter County and took office in January 2005. He is currently the longest serving Sheriff in Arkansas.

Sheriff Montgomery was born in West Plains, Missouri, the son of Hubert and Veva Montgomery. He and his wife, Karen live in Cotter, Arkansas.

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 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. In addition, Sheriff Montgomery serves on the Board of the Association of Arkansas Counties, serves on the seven-member Board of Trustees for the statewide county Risk Management Fund, has served as the Legislative Chairman for the Arkansas Sheriff's Association and is the Past President of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association. He is very active in the community and has also served on many private and civic boards. 

Sheriff Montgomery's passion is working with kids. He was instrumental 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 organize 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