Sheriff Joe Paul King

Sheriff Joe Paul King, age 66 of Rison, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at his home. He was born October 10, 1944 in Rison, a son of the late M. E. King and Ilda Nolan King. Mr. King was a graduate of Rison High School. He married Judy Walker on December 21, 1964. He was elected as Sheriff of Cleveland County, Arkansas in 1974, and began his term in January 1975. Prior to being elected, Sheriff King served as an Arkansas State Trooper and a Cleveland County Deputy Sheriff. During his first year in office, he organized a Junior Deputy Program. The program exposed a number of youngsters to law enforcement. Sheriff Kings current Chief Deputy and Chief Criminal Investigator were both members of his Junior Deputy Program. During his tenure, Sheriff King has been an influence on untold citizens of Cleveland County. He has always been known as an individual who tried to help young people no matter their class in life. Sheriff King was instrumental in the construction of the Cleveland County Detention Center and Law Enforcement building in 1977. He began his career with one full time deputy and has expanded his department over time to a staff of twelve, including seven field deputies. From 1984 until 1993 Sheriff King served on the Commission on Arkansas Law Enforcement Standard and Training. He has been a longtime supporter of the Arkansas Sheriffs Boys Ranch. He was a life member of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association, and served as president of the organization in 1988. Sheriff King was an avid member of the Democratic Party. He was also preceded in death by six brothers, Walter, John, Marvin, William, Hoyle and Herbert King.

Sheriff King is survived by his wife, Judy Walker King; son and daughter-in-law, Rodney and Jennifer King; daughter, Mona King; grandchildren, Blake King and Olivia Valentine; sisters, Louise Riggins, Topsy Taylor, all of Rison and Marcell Jacks of Rowell; thirty six nieces and nephews; sixty three great nieces and nephews; eighty five great-great nieces and nephews and two great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Rison Baptist Church with Brother Wade Totty and Chuck Lange, the Director of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2011 at Buie Funeral Home in Rison. Pallbearers are members of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Rodgers, Gary Young, Josh Bolland, Havis Hyatt, Oscar Gerard Jr, Tom Taylor, Garry Barringer and John Culpepper. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Sheriffs Youth Ranch, P. O. Box 3964, Batesville, Arkansas 72503. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.