A third candidate has entered the race for Cleveland County Sheriff.
Vance “Lee” Freeman has announced his intention to run for the position in 2026.
Current Sheriff Jack Rodgers has announced his intention to retire next year after more than 49 years of service.
Freeman joins current Cleveland County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Poss and former Oklahoma sheriff’s deputy Keden Strum, who is from the Rison area.
Freeman’s campaign announcement is shared below:
My name is Vance “Lee” Freeman, and I am proud to officially announce my candidacy for Sheriff of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department.
I was born and raised right here in Arkansas and graduated from Rison High School in 1994. Shortly thereafter, I answered the call to serve our nation by joining the United States Marine Corps, where my journey in law enforcement began. As a Military Police Officer, I served both overseas in Okinawa, Japan and stateside in Jacksonville, North Carolina. My time on bike patrol in North Carolina taught me the value of community policing—being visible, building trust, and forging strong relationships with citizens.
I believe that law enforcement cannot be truly effective without a foundation of mutual respect and open communication between deputies and the communities they serve.
After completing my military service in 1998, I returned home to Rison. I worked in maintenance roles at Tyson Foods and the Arkansas Department of Corrections before beginning my career with the Pine Bluff Police Department in January 2002.
Over the past two decades, I’ve served in various roles—from graveyard patrol to bike patrol, and ultimately, Vice & Narcotics. I’ve been honored to serve as a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for over 18 years and a member of the Tri-County Drug Task Force, working major federal drug investigations that have had a lasting impact on our communities, as well as Pine Bluff SWAT, Sniper Team Leader. With over 20 years of experience in narcotics enforcement, I’ve built strong, reliable relationships with federal and local agencies across the country and have a great relationship with Jefferson County Sheriff Layfette Woods and Drew County Sheriff Tim Nichols.
While working countless hours, I obtained my Bachleors Degree in Criminal justice. I also am currently on the Executive Board of the Arkansas Narcotics Officers Association.
But now, it’s time to bring that experience home—to Cleveland County.
If elected Sheriff, my priorities will be clear and firm:
- Restore Accountability and Fear of Consequences: Drug dealers, thieves, and burglars must once again fear the consequences of their actions. If you break the law in Cleveland County, you will be held accountable.
- Rebuild Community Trust: I will prioritize community engagement, ensuring that deputies are visible, approachable, and integrated into the neighborhoods they serve.
- Strengthen Interagency Collaboration: I am committed to repairing and strengthening working relationships with surrounding law enforcement agencies to ensure a united front in protecting our region.
- Modernize the Sheriff’s Department: I will implement a drone program to enhance search-and-rescue efforts for missing persons and provide critical support in locating fleeing suspects or surveying hard-to-reach areas.
- Equip Our Deputies for Success: I will work to ensure that our department has the tools and training needed to operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.
I am not just asking for your vote—I’m asking for your trust, your support, and your partnership. Together, we can build a safer, stronger Cleveland County.
Let’s get to work.
Vance “Lee” Freeman
Candidate for Cleveland County Sheriff
