Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Vines Sets Sights On Sheriff's Office

A gauntlet has been laid down for the 1998 political season.

Former Nevada County Sheriff Harold Vines announced his bid for a second term as the top law enforcement officer in the county. He is the first to announce intentions to run for the office of Nevada County Sheriff

Vines, with 29 years of law enforcement experience, has worked with several agencies. He spent 17 years with the Arkansas Highway Police, and 10 with the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department. He also served one term as the Nevada County Sheriff.

During his career in law enforcement, Vines has obtained four of the five levels of certification possible.

Vines was born in Nevada County, living for many years in the Bodcaw area before moving to Prescott, where he and his family currently live. The Vines's family attends Central Baptist Church.

He said the decision to run again came after much thought and prayers, along with encouragement from county residents. "I thank everyone for electing me as sheriff for the 1995-96 term," he said. "I always did my best to serve with dignity and no partiality shown."

During Vines' term, the NCSO ran 16 search warrants and drug raids. This resulted in the arrest of 15 drug dealers in the city and county. "This is more cases solved in a shorter amount of time than any previous administration," he said.

When he left office, Joe Louis Dansby was preparing to be tried for capital murder for the May 16, 1992 slayings of Jeff Lewis and Malissa Clark. Vines went to Oklahoma where he arrested Dansby and brought him back to Prescott.

Additionally, during Vines' term, the Jake McKinnon deer camp murder was solved, with all three suspects being arrested and given trial dates. Two have since been to court, with one being found guilty and the other agreeing to a plea bargain.

The case against Matt and Latisha Ward, who were found guilty of arson after burning the Emmet gymnasium, was also well on its way through the judicial process as the couple had been arrested and were preparing for trial. Both wound up entering plea bargains.

Perhaps the most unusual and amazing case was when the NCSO had a man under arrest for murder before the victim's body had been found. This man is currently serving a 40-year prison term in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

"We had the best team of deputies this county has had in a long time," Vines said. "They were dedicated officers who worked until the job was done without complaint. I worked like any deputy and enjoyed working with them. We all worked together for a common cause to protect and serve the people of this county."

Also during Vines' administration, the NCSO had its first perfect audit in many years. This, he said, meant all monies were sent according to state law.

"Once again," he said, "thank you for your support in the past and for those of you who have come to me and encouraged me to enter this race. I look forward to visiting with all of you during the next few months."