RISON - Cleveland County Sheriff Jack Rodgers made it official Monday and announced that he will be retiring from office when his current term ends on Dec. 31, 2026.By the time he officially retires, Rodgers will have served the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department in some capacity for more than 49 years.Rodgers, 67, said he decided shortly after his current term began on Jan. 1, 2023 that this would be his last. “I still love working for the people and will still miss it,” he said.A graduate of Woodlawn High School, Rodgers began his career with the sheriff’s department as a dispatcher before becoming a certified sheriff’s deputy in February 1980. He was promoted to chief deputy after the retirement of former Chief Deputy Lee Lindsey in 1986. Rodgers served most of his law enforcement career under long-time Sheriff Joe Paul King, whom Rodgers said he considers to be his mentor. After King died while serving in office in March 2011, his wife, Judy King, finished out his term before Rodgers ran for the position unopposed in 2012. He officially became sheriff on Jan. 1, 2013.Rodgers has held the office ever since then, failing to draw an opponent during his tenure. He was elected to two-year terms in 2012, 2014 and 2016 before winning back-to-back four-year terms in 2018 and 2022. ...
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