There will be a runoff election for Miller County Sheriff between Deputy Stephen Ward and Texarkana Arkansas Police Detective Wayne Easley.
Ward, received 1,894 votes and Easley 1,620 votes compared to complete but unofficial results. Miller County Chief Deputy Mark Lewis received 1,506 votes.
As neither candidate received a majority of votes, Ward and Easley are bound for a runoff election June 21.
Ward said late Tuesday that he feels positive about the race.
"Now we have got to win the runoff. I have had tremendous support from the voters but now its time to double down and prove we can win," he said.
Easley said he had hoped to receive more than 50% of the votes but felt positive about the runoff. He expressed appreciation to his wife and family and all of his supporters.
"I would love to have Mark's supporters," he said.
Three candidates ran on the Republican ticket, with no Democratic challengers, which means the winner of the runoff will be the next sheriff and take office in January 2023.
Ward, a Miller County deputy for 14 years, is a lifelong resident of Miller County.
"For over 14 years, I've been committed to the citizens of Miller County. I've worked under the supervision of three very different Sheriff's, whose leadership styles have inspired and molded me. I want to continue to invest in our communities by sharing my knowledge, experience and dedication," Ward said in a previous interview with the Gazette.
Ward said his top priorities if elected would be increasing trust and transparency, being fiscally responsible, seeking grants, donors and volunteers, making the jail safer and more efficient, reducing recidivism, training deputies and staff, and increasing solvability rates on misdemeanor crimes by having the criminal investigators work misdemeanor cases as well as felonies.
Ward also hopes to create a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program (RSAT) in the jail to help those who want to be free from addiction.
Easley left the private sector to begin a law enforcement career at the Bowie County jail and worked his way up to become the supervisor of the Special Response Team. While there, he completed the Texas Law Enforcement Academy and went to work as a deputy for the Bowie County Sheriff's Office.
In 2001, Easley began working for the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department. He was a patrol officer before being promoted to detective and working crimes against children; he also has been a hostage negotiator. In 2016, he moved to crimes against persons ,where he worked adult violent crimes, homicides, aggravated robberies and sexual assaults.
Easley said in a previous Gazette interview that his top priorities are aligned with some of the biggest problems that the region is facing. He said while campaigning, citizens have voiced concerns about rampant drugs in the community, theft, and lack of deputy presence in all of the schools.
Regarding the Miller County jail, he said he wants to ensure the safety of residents in Miller County.
"As sheriff, housing local prisoners will take precedence over the housing of prisoners who are not from this area," Easley said.
Wayne Easley, left and Stephen Ward look at the results Tuesday night. Staff photo by Danielle Dupree