Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Cooper A Decorated Officer

Rod Cooper brings years of experience to the table as a candidate for Gurdon City Marshal.

In fact, Cooper has 17 years experience as a municipal police officer in Camden, has worked as a trooper with the Arkansas State Police and as a supervisor with the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Currently, Cooper is a deputy with the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

Cooper resigned his commission with the ASP to return to college at Henderson State University, where he earned a BS in aviation.

He paid his way through college by working at the Tucker unit and the Benton Work Release Center.

"Tucker was definitely challenging," he said. "It was an eye opening experience."

While working with the ASP, Cooper earned several commendations, and was involved in a number of drug investigations. With the CCSO, he has been instrumental in a series of drug-related arrests.

In 1986, Cooper was nominated and honored as one of the Outstanding Young Men in America.

He and his wife, Edna, moved to Gurdon five years ago and make it their home.

"The people here deserve a law enforcement agency that will enforce the law equally," Cooper said. "One they can look at and be proud of.

"The people here, as a whole, want what's right. I feel the same way."

Cooper said there are some minor changes he's like to make in the Gurdon Police Department, if elected May 21. These changes are primarily in policies and procedures. "There's not a lot wrong (with the GPD)," he said.

He is also a veteran with the USAF and earned the title of an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.

"I'm a simple person," he said, "a family man. If I'm not working, I'm home with my wife and daughter, Hayley." The Coopers are expecting their second child soon.

Cooper enjoys flying, having earned his helicopter pilot's license, and watching movies. He also likes to do a little hunting and fishing and work in his yard.

"I appreciate everyone coming out and voting," he said. "I feel I'd be good for the city."

Cooper said Gurdon residents are being held in the Clark County Jail. Gurdon pays $25 per day to house these prisoners.

He said he'd like to bring these prisoners back to Gurdon and have them perform community service. In fact, Cooper said he'd like to see judges levy community service in lieu of some fines.

"You can have an effective police department in the city without having to write a lot of tickets and hurting people's feelings," he said.