This page will continue to operate, relaying news pertaining to Sharp County, Arkansas as it happens. My name is Levi Ratliff and I was in the running for the 2026 primary election for office of Constable in Sharp County—District 1 (Northern Sharp Co., Hardy, & Wirth). A constable is a local law enforcement officer, similar to a sheriff but on a smaller scale. It's an elected position which offers
no pay, a literally a term of service to the community. Unfortunately, I lost the election. But just because I don't have the badge doesn't mean I can't still serve my community. As a member of the Wirth Fire Department, I'm able to respond to medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, fires, and any number of "worst days" many people face. I'm able to be there for them when that call comes in. I'm able to continue my training and education and make myself a better and stronger person, which will in turn make me better able to serve my community. Early Life
As a kid. I remember attending a Rikard Family reunion that was taking place during the annual Frontier Days. I learned how to split a log to make wood shingles, and to dip a string in melted wax to make a candle. One of my favorite restaurants was the old Razorback Dinner on Highway 63, and my favorite fishing hole was at my Uncle Floyd’s river lot. I could catch a fish every cast whether the hook was baited or not. I’ve always been a sheep dog (someone who protects others). One of my first fights, when I was in Kindergarten, was with a 5th grader who was picking on the smaller kids. Granted, I wasn’t very big myself, and this kid towered over me, but I wasn’t afraid of anyone. I jumped up and punched him in the nose. And while I got in trouble for fighting at school, I was also praised for defending those weaker than myself. My elementary years were filled with many fights, most of them in defense of myself or others. There is no denying I needed to learn some self-control and de-escalation techniques. Fortunately, my parents recognized this and enrolled me in some of the local martial arts classes. I was a quick study and I enjoyed it, which ignited a spark that became a lifelong pursuit of mastering my self-control. Experiences
One of the first career paths I’d selected for myself, I believe I was ten at the time, was to be a firefighter. I achieved this dream in high school, at one of the local volunteer stations. I learned quite a bit, attended every class that came available, and got to experience nearly every type of emergency one can imagine. During this time I held multiple medical certifications, which included being a licensed Emergency Medical Technician. I then joined the Army and was trained as a Combat Engineer. Instead of putting out fires, they taught me how to make really big ones with explosive result. After the Army I returned home and joined the workforce. I’ve held many different jobs in many different fields. I’ve worked in numerous kitchens, doing everything from serving food, to cooking or washing dishes, to catering for the rich and famous. I’ve held numerous labor jobs, including welding and manufacturing everything from giant HVAC components and roller coasters to the structural steel needed for massive buildings and transport crafts such as boats, trailers, and vehicles of every type and applications. At one job in particular I spent every break, lunch period, and moment of free time learning anything I could about how to program and operate the robot welders. Considering my first Associate’s Degree was in welding, it’s no surprise I’ve held several of these jobs. I’ve operated all sorts of computerized machinery, driven every type of vehicle imaginable, worn thousand-dollar suits to glass-walled office buildings every day, as well as spent hours washing dirt and grease out from under my fingernails. I can turn a wrench and build a motorcycle just as fluently as I can design a website or write a novel. I say this, not to boast but because I’ve done all of this. All it takes is some patience, a little experience, and the desire to learn what I don’t already know. Life
In 2008 I became a father to a little girl. Her mother disappeared shortly thereafter. I could write a book on those stories, which I have. And I intend to write two more if I’d just make time to do it. My grandfather, James “Shorty” Rikard, got sick in 2018. He needed a caretaker and my author career was able to be performed from anywhere, so my daughter and I packed up and moved to the area. Life was simpler here. Things were slower, and my daughter, who'd been struggling in school, started to excel. She’s currently enrolled in some advanced courses and continuing to shine. After my grandfather passed, and not wanting to return my daughter to the environment that had hindered her for so long, we chose to stay. For the past half-decade, I've been employed by the Highland School District. I was originally offered a job to drive a school bus, and was soon hired as a substitute teacher until a full-time position was offered in the transportation department. Since then, I've also become a Commissioned School Security Officer (C.S.S.O.), serving to protect the students and faculty in a more official capacity. What is a Constable? It's an elected position which offers no pay. This means it's literally a term of service to the community. As a “conservator of the peace", the duties can include serving civil process documents, keeping the peace, writing citations, responding to accidents or other emergency situations, and making arrests. Constables have the same rights and privileges as an elected sheriff, though their jurisdiction is limited to the township (or district as is the case here in Sharp County) they are elected in. Unlike a sheriff, a constable cannot have deputy officers, but in times of emergency they can raise a posse. Qualifications
All candidates must be U.S. citizens, be at least 18 years old, be registered to vote in their county and township, and have no felony convictions against them. There are also state-mandated law enforcement trainings which much be completed to perform certain duties. Constables do not receive county funding for their equipment, and must pay for their own supplies and gear out of pocket. Why I want this position? I’ve asked myself this question time and again. Why would any sane person choose to stand between criminals and the general populace? Especially without pay, insurance, or benefits of any kind. It’s one thing to become a law enforcement officer through employment of a local police department or the sheriff’s office. It’s an entirely different thing to wear a badge with no notable backup, no dispatch to call for help, and no funding to cover medical cost should injury or death occur. This day in age law enforcement officers are hated by an extremely vocal and aggressive sect of the population. They’re attacked and sometimes murdered on a daily basis for no other reason than they wear a badge. It’s insanity to want this when you could have all the funding, backup, and equipment provided by a traditional police or sheriff’s department. Doubly so when you have nothing but yourself and what you’re able to afford. So, I guess I’m insane. I see the threats out there. I see people in need of help and nobody wants to do anything but point their camera to make sure everything is recorded for their next social media post. I’m a protector. I step up when others don’t. Having this position gives me legal authority to do so. It allows me to stand between a citizen of my community and any threat to their wellbeing. It allows me the ability to investigate the criminal activity I’ve personally witnessed in our area, instead of having my concerns outright dismissed or passed along to someone else who likewise isn’t going to do anything. I’ve always been told, ‘if you want something done right, do it yourself.’ This is me “Doing it myself.”
My Promise
I can’t speak from experience but from my perspective, the Sharp County Sherriff’s Department doesn’t appear to have the resources or personnel needed to effectively patrol the entire county. They can’t handle everything
My goal is to bring an increased level of safety to my community by providing information to the public on road conditions during inclement weather or other dangerous situations, assist other law enforcement agencies when and if the need arises, and by reducing emergency response times to the northern areas of Sharp County by proximity. Please understand, this is not a paid position. I will still have to work to support my family. But I promise to do everything within my power to be available whenever necessary, to do whatever is necessary, when necessity calls. Thank you. I hope to have your vote on March 3rd 2026.
