Arkansas County Sheriff resigns after racist comments caught on recording

Former Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright (Image source: arsheriffs.org)

The Arkansas County Quorum court met in special session this morning at 10 a.m. to discuss a resolution requesting the resignation of Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright. An audio clip began circulating on Facebook late Wednesday night in which Wright uses racial slurs and offensive language describing an employee at Piggly Wiggly in DeWitt.

Wright offered an apology for any offense the recording caused, and said that his comments were in the heat of the moment. Wright insisted he was not racist.

Following comments by the public, including the mother and aunt of the man Wright disparaged in the video, Wright initially said he did not intend to resign.

The court voted unanimously to approve the resolution and asked Wright to resign. Following further comments from the public asking for his resignation, including family friend Destiny Brown, Wright said that if he were given a month to get his affairs in order and look for another job, he would resign.

However, Dewitt business owner and friend of Wright’s, Bobby Webb pleaded with him to resign immediately, saying, “I’ve known you all my life. You need to take that badge and you need to lay it on that table and you need to walk out of here. You know I love you .” Wright became emotional and gave a verbal resignation before a brief intermission, during which a formal written resignation was created.

When court resumed, Wright tendered his official written resignation, which the court voted unanimously to accept.

The court also unanimously passed a motion to allow Wright to continue to be paid on contract labor through September 30, out of compassion, though he will not be an active law enforcement officer.

Chief Deputy Randy Bateman will assume Wright’s duties until a new sheriff can be appointed or a special election called. The Quorum Court will vote to make that determination at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 8.