Dwight Tosh announces for Craighead County Sheriff

Dwight Tosh is one of two Republican candidates and three Democratic candidates seeking the position of Craighead County sheriff.

Dwight Tosh, candidate for Craighead County Sheriff

Tosh is a Craighead County native. He retired from the Arkansas State Police in 2005 after 37 years. He served as troop commander, running the day to day operation for a nine county troop. He served 17 years as captain troop commander. After retiring from the State Police, he opened his own business, Tosh Investigations, working mostly for insurance companies and attorneys.

"I have spent my life serving people and I have always wanted to be sheriff in my own county," Tosh said. "I have a servant's heart and I would consider it an honor to serve the people of Craighead County."

Tosh went into law enforcement soon after graduation from Valley View High School. He started his career as a radio/dispatcher operator at the age of 19. He went on as a trooper at the age of 22. He first served in Monticello, then Harrisburg and then Jonesboro in 1974. He served six years as head of public information. He spoke to civic groups, schools, and other events including serving as driving instructor for senior citizens.

He holds several certifications for his training including SWAT Team leader, hostage negotiator, drug interdiction commander, and many others. He graduated from the FBI Negotiation School, the National Crime Prevention Institute, and the Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., took 21 hours at Central Missouri State in police related courses, and received numerous other certifications including instructor in the State of Arkansas in Law Enforcement. He has taught traffic law to new state police recruits. He was decorated twice for heroic action in the line of duty.

Tosh was born in Monette, the son of the late Jesse and Opal Tosh. He and his wife of 42 years, Joan, are both high school graduates of Valley View. Mrs. Tosh retired after 30 years of serving as counselor working in the Valley View, Westside and Nettleton School Districts.

They have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Christy Tosh Crider, and her husband, Marcus, are attorneys and live in Nashville, Tenn. Their son, Brant Tosh, is a lieutenant with the State Police criminal investigation division. He and his wife, Lori, live in Jonesboro. She is director of case management at Heathsouth.

Tosh and his wife are longtime members of the Fellowship Christian Church in Jonesboro. Mrs. Tosh teaches a Sunday school class and he serves as usher and head of security for the church.