Richard Friend, a candidate for Saline County Sheriff, brings nearly three decades of broad-based law enforcement and military experience to the table. He began his career in public service in 1996 as a jailer at the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and has since served at the local, state, and federal levels. His roles have included narcotics officer in Saline County, police chief, Drug Recognition Expert with the Arkansas Highway Police, and investigator with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

Currently serving as Chief of Police in England, Arkansas, Richard is known for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to community safety. In addition to his civilian service, Richard proudly served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, retiring in 2023 after 23 years of military service.

A Saline County native, Richard’s roots run deep. His children attended local schools, and his wife, Tammy, taught in the Bryant and Bauxite school districts. Richard’s lifelong commitment to public service and his strong ties to the community make him a trusted and proven candidate to lead the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.