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Hempstead County Sheriff, 312 South, Hope, AR (2026)

06/08/2026

On May 28, 2026, Deputy B. Schroader received a call from police dispatcher regarding a breaking or entering located at 5299 Highway 67 West, also referred to as Red River Truck Stop, in Fulton, Hempstead County, Arkansas.

Hempstead County Deputies began an investigation and was able to obtain a warrant for Commercial Burglary 37-year-old Candy Collier of Fulton who was arrested on the warrant by Deputy Brody Pennington Collier is being held at the HCDF in Hope pending a first court appearance.

Deputies were able to return several items taken in the burglary.

06/04/2026

HEMPSTEAD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Office of Sheriff James A. Singleton

Letter of Congratulations

Dear Deputy Pennington and Deputy Whitney,

On behalf of the men and women of the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center, I extend my sincere congratulations to both of you on being recognized by KTAL News and the Chevy Dealers' "Behind the Badge" program.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to your professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to serving the citizens of Hempstead County. Law enforcement is a profession that often requires sacrifice, courage, and selfless service, and it is gratifying to see your efforts acknowledged by the community and the media.

Your daily commitment to protecting the public, assisting those in need, and upholding the highest standards of our profession reflects great credit upon yourselves, the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office, and the citizens we proudly serve. The recognition you have received is well deserved and serves as an example of the positive impact law enforcement officers make in their communities every day.

Thank you for your outstanding service, dedication, and professionalism. We are proud to have you as members of our team and grateful for the difference you make in the lives of those we serve.

Congratulations on this well-earned honor, and best wishes for continued success in your careers.

Respectfully,

James A. Singleton
Sheriff
Hempstead County Sheriff's Office

06/01/2026

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE HEMPSTEAD COUNTY HOSPITAL TAX

To the Citizens of Hempstead County:

As Sheriff of Hempstead County, I have dedicated my career to protecting the lives and safety of the citizens we serve. Public safety is about more than law enforcement—it is about ensuring that every person in our community has access to critical emergency services when they need them most. For this reason, I strongly support the proposed sales tax dedicated to sustaining and improving our local hospital and its 24-hour emergency services.

Let me begin by saying that I am not a fan of raising taxes. Like many of you, I understand the burden that taxes place on working families, businesses, and individuals. As an elected official, I believe every tax proposal should be carefully scrutinized and supported only when there is a clear and compelling need. In this case, I believe that need exists.

It is also important to remember that this is not a permanent tax. The proposed sales tax contains a sunset provision and will expire after ten years. This gives our community the opportunity to invest in a critical service while ensuring that the tax does not continue indefinitely.

Every day, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and first responders rely on having a fully functioning emergency room available in Hempstead County. When a serious automobile accident occurs, when a child suffers a life-threatening injury, when a heart attack or stroke strikes without warning, every minute matters. The availability of 24-hour emergency medical care can mean the difference between life and death.

Our deputies regularly respond to traffic collisions, violent crimes, medical emergencies, overdoses, and incidents involving vulnerable individuals. In many of these situations, immediate access to emergency medical treatment is essential. If emergency services were unavailable locally, patients would face longer transport times to hospitals outside our county. Those additional miles and precious minutes could significantly impact patient outcomes and place additional strain on our emergency responders.

The hospital is also a critical partner in public safety. It provides medical evaluations for crime victims, emergency treatment for injured deputies and first responders, mental health crisis intervention, and essential healthcare services that contribute to the overall well-being of our community. A strong hospital strengthens the entire public safety network.

As Sheriff, I understand the responsibility of being a good steward of taxpayer dollars. However, I also understand the devastating consequences of not having adequate emergency medical services available when they are needed most. The question we must ask ourselves is simple: What price can we put on a human life? What value do we place on knowing that when our loved ones face a medical emergency, help is available close to home and without unnecessary delay?

Supporting this sales tax is an investment in the future of Hempstead County. It is an investment in our families, our businesses, our first responders, and our quality of life. Communities with reliable healthcare services are stronger, safer, and better positioned for economic growth and development.

As someone who has witnessed tragedy firsthand and has seen the difference that timely emergency medical care can make, I believe preserving 24-hour emergency services in Hempstead County is one of the most important investments we can make. The proposed tax will help ensure that our citizens continue to have access to lifesaving care close to home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I respectfully encourage the citizens of Hempstead County to vote in favor of this important initiative. Together, we can help preserve a vital resource that serves every resident of our county and protects the health and safety of our community for generations to come.

Respectfully,
Sheriff James Singleton
Hempstead County

05/22/2026

This Memorial Day, Sheriff James Singleton and the men and women of the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Their courage, dedication, and love for this country will never be forgotten. As we gather with family and friends, let us pause to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their sacrifice.

May God bless our fallen heroes, their families, and the United States of America.

05/22/2026

To the Officers and Staff of the Hope Police Department,

Sheriff James Singleton and the men and women of the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Officer Keith Powell after his long illness.

Officer Powell’s dedication and faithful service to the citizens of Hope will always be remembered and appreciated. His commitment to protecting and serving his community reflects the honor and professionalism that define law enforcement officers everywhere.

The loss of one of our own is felt throughout the entire law enforcement family. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Powell’s family, friends, and every member of the. We stand beside you in mourning the loss of a fellow officer and friend.

May God grant comfort, strength, and peace to all who knew and loved Officer Powell, and may his memory continue to live on through the service and example he leaves behind.

With deepest sympathy,
Sheriff James Singleton
and the Men and Women of the
Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office

05/20/2026

Seat Belts Saves Lives

Buckle Up May 18 – May 31, and Every Day

Hempstead County, Arkansas — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging drivers to buckle up ahead of the Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign. The national high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs May 18-31, 2026. “Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said Sheriff James Singleton “During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Not buckling up could mean a ticket, or worse, risking a life.”

In 2024, there were 9,758 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes. The national seat belt use rate in 2024 was 91.2%, which is good — but it can be better. The other 8.8% still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained occupant fatalities happen at night (56% between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.). Of the males killed in crashes in 2023, more than half (53%) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 41% were not buckled up.

Buckle Up the Right Way

· Place the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck.
· Lay the lap belt across the hips and not the stomach.
· NEVER place the seat belt behind the back or under arms. “We are asking friends and family to remind each other to buckle up in the front and back seats and to consider changing their habits if they don’t,” said [Local/State Law Enforcement Official]. “Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up.”

For more information on the Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.

04/16/2026

Plan for a Safe and Sober Ride on 420 — and Everyday

Hempstead County, Arkansas — Ahead of April 20, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding drivers that it’s illegal in every state and territory to drive under the influence of drugs. On “420” — a number associated with ma*****na — some might observe a day of increased ma*****na use. But, no matter the day, the message is the same: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

“Driving while impaired by any substance — legal or illegal — puts you and others in harm’s way,” said Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton “It’s a common and dangerous misconception that people drive better when they are high,” reminds Sheriff Singleton
Driving high has serious and deadly consequences. A NHTSA study, from 2019-2021, showed that 26% of drivers seriously injured or killed in crashes tested positive for ma*****na.

If someone sees a friend who is about to drive high, they should take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. And, if anyone spots an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.

Drugs, including ma*****na, affect driving abilities, which puts everyone on the road at risk. It has been proven that ma*****na can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. These are all unsafe driving behavior that can cause serious injuries or death in a crash.

A key to preventing impaired driving is to plan ahead. Designating a sober driver — that’s someone who won’t be drinking or using drugs — is one option. Other options include booking a rideshare or using a taxi.
Join NHTSA in sharing the lifesaving message, If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. For more information on drug-impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving

03/26/2026

Heroic Act Award
Citation

Recipients: Deputy Ricky Pennington and Deputy Matthew Whitney
Date of Incident: March 22, 2026
Location: Washington, Hempstead County,

The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office hereby recognizes Deputy Ricky Pennington and Deputy Matthew Whitney for their exceptional courage, decisive action, and life-saving efforts during an emergency response to a severe animal attack on March 22, 2026.

At approximately 11:17 a.m., Deputies Pennington and Whitney responded to a reported dog attack involving a young child who had sustained critical injuries and significant blood loss. Upon arrival, the deputies immediately assessed the severity of the situation and rendered urgent medical aid under high-stress and rapidly evolving conditions.

Deputy Pennington swiftly applied a tourniquet to the child’s injured leg, effectively controlling life-threatening hemorrhaging. Concurrently, Deputy Whitney administered bandaging to the child’s head wounds to further stabilize the victim. Their prompt and coordinated actions were instrumental in preserving the child’s life until advanced medical personnel arrived on scene.

As the situation continued to develop, the deputies also responded to a second attack by the same animal, during which an additional individual was injured. Faced with an immediate and ongoing threat to human life, Deputy Pennington took decisive action to neutralize the animal, thereby preventing further harm.

The professionalism, training, and composure demonstrated by Deputies Pennington and Whitney directly contributed to the survival and stabilization of the injured child and the protection of others present. Their actions reflect the highest standards of law enforcement service and exemplify the commitment of the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office to the preservation of life.

For their outstanding performance and life-saving intervention, Deputy Pennington and Deputy Whitney are hereby awarded the Heroic Act Award.

Presented this 26 day of March, 2026

03/26/2026

NHTSA and Hempstead County Sheriff Remind Drivers to
Drive Phone-free

Hempstead County, Arkansas — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign is reminding drivers of the deadly dangers and legal consequences — including fines — of texting and other forms of messaging behind the wheel.

From April 9-13, 2026, law enforcement nationwide will work together to enforce laws prohibiting distracted driving behind the wheel. These efforts come during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Cell phone use, texting and other activities that don’t contribute to safe driving are all forms of distracted driving. In 49 states, including Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands, texting while driving is illegal.

According to NHTSA, in 2022 there were 3,308 people killed and an estimated additional 289,310 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. However, data collection limitations show that these figures are likely lower than the real figures.

“Distracted driving, mainly cell phone use, remains a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes,” said [Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton “It is dangerous, it is illegal, and it puts everyone on the road at risk. Our officers will increase enforcement and stop and ticket anyone who is texting and driving. If you drive distracted, you will face the consequences,” he said.

Safe driving can be adopted by these phone-free driving habits:
Pull over and park in a safe location before using the phone to send or read a text message.

Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages during the drive.
Avoid social media scrolling and any form of messaging while behind the wheel.

Use “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications.
Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit of driving distracted.
For more information on distracted driving, visit NHTSA.gov/Distracted.

Hempstead County Sheriff

06/08/2026

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