Brad Young Joins Race for Sheriff

RISON - Brad Young of Rowell, a former member of the Arkansas State Police and a colonel in the wildlife enforcement division of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, has filed to run in the Republican primary for Cleveland County Sheriff.Young is one of three candidates seeking to fill the job currently held by Jack Rodgers, who has announce that he will be retiring as sheriff when his term is finished on Dec. 31, 2026. The other two candidates are Lee Freeman and Keden Shrum, both of Rison.Michael Poss of the Randall community, who had previously announced his intentions to run for the office, decided not to run. He stated that he will be endorsing Young.The Republican Primary election will be held March 3, 2026. Here is the announcement submitted by Brad Young" "My name is Brad Young, and I am announcing my candidacy for Cleveland County Sheriff."I was raised here in Cleveland County and currently live in Rowell with my wife, Karla, and our two children, Brenna (15) and Hudgin (7). The Cleveland County Sheriff's Department has always been a part of my life, both growing up and throughout my law enforcement career."I am a graduate of Woodlawn High School and have completed numerous college courses and law enforcement training programs since graduation. I began my career at 18 years old as a K-9 handler with the Arkansas Department of Corrections. At 22, I joined the Arkansas State Police as a State Trooper, serving Cleveland County for six years before continuing my career with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as a wildlife enforcement officer."During my time with Game and Fish, I developed an investigative program that remains active today. I rose through the ranks to Colonel, supervising over 225 enforcement staff for all 75 Counties and managing a multi-million-dollar budget. I bring with me 25 years of law enforcement experience, the majority of that in leadership roles."Cleveland County is my home, a...