The 2010 election season is under way in Mississippi County. Dale Cook has announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Mississippi County and held a rally at the Blytheville Courthouse Saturday morning.
An Etowah native and graduate of Mississippi County High School, Cook also has degrees from Arkansas Northeastern College, Southern Arkansas University Tech, Arkansas Military Academy and numerous degrees from the United States Army.
Cook has managed a farm in Etowah since 1992 and has experience in farm bookkeeping, computer operations and programing and manufacturing purchasing and was a Mississippi County High School school board member in the early 1980s.
A 32-year military veteran, Cook has served with the Arkansas Army National Guard, the United States Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service with Arkansas 25th Rear Area Operations Center in support of the U.S. Army's 18th Airborne Corps in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990 through 1991. He retired in June of 2003 with a rank of lieutenant colonel.
Cook has 21 years of service in the Highway Patrol Division of the Arkansas State Police serving in Troop A in Little Rock and Troop C in Mississippi County. He also has served as the Provost Marshall of Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade.
"The Mississippi County Sheriff's Department is a flagship of law enforcement in our country. Therefore, we must raise the bar of professionalism within the sheriff's department to accomplish our mission to protect and serve our citizens," said Cook.
Cook said his No. 1 goal as sheriff is, "to stop the destruction of our children and families by ridding our county of illegal drugs and its associated theft of property."
Other goals set forth by Cook include: to provide responsive, honest and fair law enforcement to all citizens of Mississippi County; to improve training, equipment and safety; to improve team spirit, rapport and cooperation with all local police departments, the Arkansas State Police, surrounding counties, states and federal offices; to instill honesty, integrity, diligence and leadership; to develop a coordinated emergency plan in case of a natural disaster or terrorist attack; and to have a true open door policy at the sheriff's office.
Cook also shared the "secret" to his success and accomplishments.
"It's been said, and is very true, that all successful men have a great woman supporting them," he said. "I am very proud to have that person with me today. Ladies and gentleman, that person is my wife Melissa. We have been blessed with three children, Audrey, Matthew and Makayla."