Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Childres Touts His Experience

David Childres said experience is the reason voters in Gurdon should reelect him as city marshal.

Childres, who has been Gurdon's marshal for five years, said he has 19 years experience in law enforcement.

In addition, he has been the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Camden, as well as the Drug Enforcement Agency School. Childres is also an emergency medical technician and works as a marijuana spotter for the DEA.

"I've lived in Gurdon all my life and know the people," he said. "I've upgraded the Gurdon Police Department and hired more officers, all certified."

Childres also operated the South Clark County Ambulance Service for four years. During this time, he made sure all GPD officers became certified EMTs.

According to Childres, no major crimes in Gurdon are unsolved at this time.

"I'm running for reelection because GPD is doing a good job. I have the most experience as being a marshal in a small town," he said. "You have to live with the people in Gurdon, it's not like Little Rock. I try to be fair with everyone and treat people like I want to be treated."

Childres said there's more to being a police officer in Gurdon than putting people in jail.

He plans on trying to maintain the current number of officers.

In discussing the city's plans to annex more territory into the city limits, Childres said this would mean more ground for his officers to patrol.

He and his wife, Virginia, and two children, Stephanie, 13, and Buck, 8, attend the First Christian Church in Gurdon.

"I think we're doing a good job and will keep doing what we're doing," he said. "If the people are satisfied with the way GPD is being run and the way we treat people, then don't vote for a change. But, we're always open to suggestions."

In his spare time, Childres likes to hunt and fish. On occasion, he takes his car to the Prescott Raceway for drag racing.