I am excited to announce my candidacy for Drew County Sheriff! With a deep commitment to our community and extensive experience in law enforcement, I believe I am well-equipped to lead our county towards a safer and more secure future.

My vision for Drew County includes stronger community engagement, proactive crime prevention, and enhancing transparency and accountability within our sheriff’s office. Together, we can build a community where everyone feels safe and valued.

I look forward to earning your support and working together to make Drew County a better place for all. Thank you

Vote Larry Smith

Justice for all not some

Drew County is a place where I am deeply committed to fostering safety and community well-being. With a diverse range of experience in law enforcement and community service, I have established a strong foundation for effectively leading the sheriff’s office. My professional history includes roles as a Team Assistant at the Dermott Juvenile Facility, a Mental Health Technician at the Center for Youth and Families, and a Patrol Officer/School Resource Officer for the Monticello school district and a juvenile probation officer for the 10th district. I also served as Chief Deputy in the Drew County Sheriff’s Department. I held positions as a Correctional Officer and Sergeant with the Arkansas Department of Corrections, ultimately becoming the EPC Lieutenant as an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.

Beverly Burks has announced her candidacy for re-election to the office of Drew County Circuit Clerk.Burks, 58, is currently serving her fourth term in office.
“I have loved serving as circuit clerk,” Burks said in making her announcement. “I take my responsibilities to the public very seriously, and have worked hard to try and improve the operations of the office and ensure that everything is handled in a professional, transparent fashion.” The circuit clerk’s office is responsible for accepting all filings in felony criminal, civil, domestic relations and juvenile cases, issuing summonses, and recording deeds, mortgages, liens and other property-related instruments and orders. The circuit clerk also calls jury panels, communicates scheduling for jurors, and pays them for their service. Some child support payments are made through the office, and the clerk is responsible for compiling records of pleadings in appeals.
Just this month, Burks was notified that her grant application for a new land records system had been successful. The grant is funded by the Association of Arkansas Counties’ Automated Records System Fund and will be used to update the system by which deeds, mortgages and other instruments are recorded. Once it is in place, all new filings will be accessible online. Burks is also planning to implement a new notification system to help keep jurors better informed of their service dates.
Burks and her staff process dozens of documents in a variety of cases each day and have built solid working relationships with all the judges in the Tenth Judicial District and their assistants, the prosecuting attorney and public defender’s offices, lawyers, banks, title companies and the public to ensure that the important work of the circuit clerk’s office is accomplished.
“It has been a privilege to be entrusted with this job, and I again ask the residents of Drew County for their vote,” Burks said. “I appreciate the trust they have shown in me in the past and pledge to continue to work hard in return.”
Burks, who lives in Wilmar, is a graduate of Monticello High School and Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. She helps manage her family cattle operation and is a member of Monticello First United Methodist Church, where she plays in the handbell choir. She also serves as secretary of the Wilmar Cemetery Association, and is a life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Monticello, as well as a former member of the Seark Concert Association board. She is a member of the Monticello Book Group and Monticello Women’s Investment Club, and the daughter of the late James and Shirley Burks.