Hempstead County Sheriff

10/21/2026

A Tribute to My Friend, Chief Deputy Mickey Atkinson

Mickey,

As we get ready to retire and hand the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office to our new Sheriff and his staff on December 31, 2026, I want to say something to you that is probably a little harder for me to say than you might think.

We have spent a lot of years together. We have worked together, dealt with problems together, laughed together, probably disagreed a few times, and stood beside each other through some pretty difficult days. But when I look back on all those years, the thing I am most thankful for isn't just having you as my Chief Deputy.

It's having you as my friend.

Mickey, you have been one of the most loyal and trustworthy people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. When you give someone your word, they can count on it. When you say you're going to be there, you're there. And when you stand beside someone, you don't just stand there when things are good—you stand there when things get tough.
That kind of friendship is hard to find.

When I became Sheriff, I knew I needed people around me that I could trust. People who would tell me the truth, even when it wasn't necessarily what I wanted to hear. People who would have my back and the back of this Sheriff's Office.
And Mickey, you were that person.

You have been a Chief Deputy who cared about this Sheriff's Office, but more importantly, you cared about the people who work here. You have always looked after the deputies, and you have always cared about their families.

And then there are the kids.

I don't know anybody who has earned the name "Grumpy" quite like you have.
You're a Grumpy to your own grandchildren, but you've never stopped there. You've been a Grumpy to my grandchildren, to the grandchildren of our deputies, and to kids all across this Sheriff's Office family.

And the amazing thing is, Mickey, you don't treat them like they're somebody else's kids.
You treat them like they're your own.

You take pride in them. You encourage them. You brag on them. And when one of those kids accomplishes something, you are genuinely proud of them.

I've watched that over the years, and it tells me a lot about a man..
Because being a good law enforcement officer is one thing.
Being a good Chief Deputy is another.
But being the kind of man that kids look at and know they are loved, supported, and cared about—that's something special.

And Mickey, you've done that.

There are a lot of people who have been touched by your friendship, your loyalty, your humor, and your willingness to help.

We've shared a lot of laughs over the years. We've probably both had days when we wondered why in the world, we ever took these jobs in the first place.
But somehow, we kept showing up.

And we kept moving forward.

That's what friends do.

As we are about to retire, I want you to know that I am proud of you. I'm proud of the years you've given to the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office. I'm proud of the job you've done. And I'm proud that I can call you, my friend.

I want to say thank you to my friend.
Thank you for your loyalty.
Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for your friendship.
Thank you for taking care of the people here.
Thank you for being a Grumpy to all those kids.
And thank you for standing beside me for all these years.

And knowing you, I'm sure you'll still find a way to give everybody a hard time along the way.
I hope when we look back on our career, we don't just remember the years we worked or the things we accomplished.

I hope you know that you made a difference.
You made a difference to this Sheriff's Office.
You made a difference to the deputies you worked with.
You made a difference to their families.
You made a difference to those kids.
And you made a difference in my life.

I love you, brother, and I thank God for the friendship we've shared all these years.
God bless you, your family, and the years ahead.

May GOD Bless our Sheriff -Elect Justin Crane and his staff and family and The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office

And remember—once a Chief Deputy, always my friend.

Sheriff James A. Singleton

10/21/2026

10/14/2026

Sheriff Recognizes Two Deputies for Quick Response to Medical Emergency

Deputies Johnny Weaver and Cayman Cato honored for their actions on September 18, 2026.

HOPE, ARKANSAS — Hempstead County Sheriff James A. Singleton recognized Deputies Johnny Weaver and Cayman Cato for their quick response and actions during a medical emergency on September 18, 2026, that helped provide immediate care to an injured individual.

At approximately 1826 hours, Deputies Weaver and Cato were dispatched to Hempstead 5 in reference to a medical emergency.
Upon arrival, Deputy Cato made contact with a male identified as Dustin, who was suffering from a serious laceration to his left wrist. Dustin had a blood-soaked T-shirt wrapped around his wrist in an attempt to control the bleeding.

Deputy Cato quickly assessed the situation and applied a tourniquet to Dustin’s left arm to help control the bleeding. Dustin explained that he had been installing an air-conditioning unit in his shop when the unit slipped in the window, causing the sheet metal to cut his wrist.

Recognizing the seriousness of the injury, the deputies contacted dispatch for an estimated arrival time for Pafford Emergency Medical Services. Dispatch advised that an ambulance was approximately 15 minutes away.

Deputies Weaver and Cato worked together to transport Dustin in Deputy Weaver’s patrol unit to the intersection of Highway 174 South and Spring Lake Road, where they met the incoming ambulance. Deputy Weaver then assisted Dustin from the patrol unit to the rear of the ambulance. Pafford EMS personnel took over medical care and transported Dustin to Southwest Medical Regional Center for further treatment.

Sheriff Singleton commended both deputies for their quick thinking, sound judgment, teamwork, and decisive actions during a potentially life-threatening emergency.

“Our deputies are trained to respond to a wide variety of emergencies, and this incident demonstrates the importance of remaining calm, assessing the situation, and taking appropriate action when every second counts,” said Sheriff Singleton. “Deputies Weaver and Cato recognized the seriousness of the injury, acted quickly to control the bleeding, and worked together to get Dustin to emergency medical personnel as soon as possible. I am proud of their actions and the professional manner in which they served our community.”

The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office is proud to recognize Deputies Johnny Weaver and Cayman Cato for their dedication to duty and commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of Hempstead County.

Sheriff James A. Singleton
Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office
Hope, Arkansas

10/01/2026

October 1, 2026
Veterans Present Donna Rosenbaum with Patriotic Bench in Recognition of Her Service to Hempstead County Veterans

HOPE, ARKANSAS — A group of local veterans recently came together to honor Hempstead County Veterans Service Officer Donna Rosenbaum for her years of dedicated service and commitment to the veterans of Hempstead County.

Veterans presented Rosenbaum with a handcrafted metal American flag bench as a small token of appreciation for the countless hours she has devoted to helping local veterans and their families.

Pictured from left to right are:
• Brody Pennington, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
• Gary Dorman, U.S. Army Veteran
• Donna Rosenbaum, Hempstead County Veterans Service Officer
• James Singleton, U.S. Army Veteran

Throughout her time as Veterans Service Officer, Rosenbaum has worked tirelessly on behalf of Hempstead County veterans, helping them navigate the Veterans Administration and assisting them in obtaining the benefits and services they have earned through their military service.

Her dedication to veterans is also deeply personal. Donna is a Gold Star Mother. Her son, Sgt. Chad Rosenbaum, was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004 while serving his country.

Her personal sacrifice and understanding of the military community have given Donna a unique perspective and an unwavering commitment to serving veterans and their families.

The veterans presenting the bench expressed their gratitude for everything Donna has done for the men and women who have served our nation.

“Donna has been a blessing to the veterans of Hempstead County. She has dedicated herself to helping veterans and their families, and she has always been willing to go the extra mile on their behalf. This bench is just a small way of saying thank you for all she has given to this country and to the veterans of Hempstead County.”

The veterans expressed their sincere appreciation to Donna Rosenbaum for her service, compassion, dedication, and continued commitment to those who have worn the uniform.

Thank you, Donna, for all you have given to this country and to the veterans of Hempstead County.

We are grateful for your service, your sacrifice, and your dedication.

10/01/2026

Good Job Danny

10/01/2026

Come Join Us

09/28/2026

Congratulations and Thank You for your service to the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office. A retirement reception was held Friday for Dana Chism who is retiring after 30 years of service to the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office. Thank You Dana for your dedication to the Sheriff's Office and Congratulations and best wishes in your retirement.

Sheriff James Singleton, Deputies and Staff
Hempstead County Sheriff's Office