PERRYVILLE, Ark. – Perry County officials say they knew nothing about the chief deputy of the sheriff’s office being arrested and resigning until FOX 16 News broke the story Tuesday.
Morrilton police arrested Chief Deputy Edwin Johnson for suspicion of DWI Friday night. Johnson resigned Monday, according to the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.
Perry County chief deputy accused of driving while intoxicated in Morrilton resigns after arrest On Wednesday, Perry County Justices of the Peace and Judge Larry Blackmon said Sheriff Ricky Don Jones had an opportunity to inform them of the arrest and resignation when they were all in the same room for the monthly quorum court meeting Monday night.
Justices of the Peace backed out of arranged interviews after Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon advised them via email not to speak to media about ongoing investigations.
People living in Perry County, like Jorden Helsel, told FOX 16 News that it should not have been days before Jones informed anyone of Johnson’s arrest, and that he shouldn’t have sat on the information in front of the rest of the county’s elected leaders.
“He should have said something to them in the meeting,” Helsel said. “It’s his responsibility to, one, uphold the law and, two, inform us on what is going on.”
Body camera video released by Morrilton police on Tuesday shows why they arrested Johnson for DWI. It also shows Jones was a passenger. Jones took to his personal social media page, not the public sheriff’s office page, Tuesday night to claim, “Edwin wasn’t drunk, he wasn’t even tipsy.” He also said he disagrees with the arrest.
“I’ve alway(s) been on the law enforcement officer side but those guys had their minds made up when they stopped us and I have no doubt Edwin will be found not guilty,” Jones said in the post.
Perry County locals react to chief deputy’s DWI arrest Morrilton Police Chief Sonny Davis had no response at this time, but people in Perry County did.
“If he really believed he wasn’t drunk and he was okay to drive and he was perfectly fine…don’t keep it a secret and then when you get in trouble put it all out for people to see,” Helsel said.
Jones’ post also said the stress of being sheriff has affected his physical and mental health, but he pours his heart out for the job he stated pays the same as entry-level positions within larger law enforcement agencies.
One couple who wished not to share their names said perhaps the sheriff should resign given his admissions.
“Just take all that away. He should have never allowed the guy to drive. He knew better,” the husband said.
“Both of my parents were killed over here on Highway 7 because of a drunk driver,” the wife added.
Jones is up for reelection in 2026. Attempts to meet Jones and Johnson one-on-one failed Wednesday. Sheriff’s office staff said Jones was not in the office and would not make more comments.
2 NASCAR drivers suspended indefinitely after DWI arrests in North Carolina The former deputy did not answer the door at his home address, but there was a department vehicle still in the driveway.
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