Good afternoon, friends, neighbors and fellow candidates. My name is Richy Thatcher and
today I come before you humbled and honored to announce my candidacy in the Republican
party for Lawrence County Sheriff. I was born and raised with the values we share- faith, family,
freedom and service, those are the values that drive me to step forward today. For me this isn’t
just about wearing a badge or holding a title, it’s about protecting the people of Lawrence
County, upholding the law fairly, and keeping our communities safe for generations to come.
I’ve been blessed to live my entire life in this county- a place I’ve proudly called home, raised my
family, and built a life rooted in faith, service and community. I’m a God fearing man who
believes there is no greater calling than to serve others. My beliefs guide not only my life but
also my law enforcement career.
I served the citizens of Walnut Ridge as Chief of Police. I also have years of law enforcement
experience in surrounding agencies. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the
challenges facing law enforcement and the responsibilities we have to the people we serve. I
am committed to providing the people of Lawrence County with a Sheriff’s Office that prioritizes
the concerns while also ensuring a safe community to raise their families.
I, like many of you all see the events happening throughout our nation, too often we see families
torn apart by crime, drugs and violence. As Sheriff I will strengthen our fight against all crime we
face while working with local, state, and federal agencies. Our deputies risk their lives daily and
deserve strong leadership. As Sheriff I will ensure our deputies have the tools and training
needed to win the fight against crime. The Sheriff’s Office will work to help reform those
struggling with addiction, leading them to find the path to recovery. As Sheriff being held
accountable by the citizens of Lawrence County I will hold each individual accountable for the
crimes they commit. Every citizen deserves to feel safe in their home, schools, and throughout
the community. I will make public safety one of my top priorities.
As Sheriff, I am committed to maintaining a transparent administration that encourages the input
of its residents. My administration will report what our deputies are doing to keep our community
safe. We will protect our citizens while also pursuing those who would harm them. As your
Sheriff I will provide Lawrence county with an effective and proactive law enforcement agency.
My administration will seek to hire and train deputies who can pursue criminal activity while
making our residents feel like action is being taken when they call us. We will strive to hire and
retain individuals who are passionate about law enforcement and can give our residents a sigh
of relief when they see one of our deputies arrive. I will work hard to ensure our deputies are
people you are proud to see in uniform.
Lawrence County is more than just where we live, it’s our home, our heritage, and our future.
Together, we can build a safer, stronger county. With your trust, your prayers, and your vote, I
will work every day to be the Sheriff you deserve. I will be transparent about the ongoing
activities of the Sheriff’s Office and report both our victories and our failures. I will uphold the law
with integrity and ensure our Sheriff’s Office reflects the values that built this county: hard work,
respect, and faith in God. Let’s protect our families, defend our freedoms, and keep LawrenceCounty the kind of place we are proud to call home. I humbly ask for your support as the
Republican Candidate for Sheriff of Lawrence County.
Thank you all for your support, and if you see me out and about, I’d encourage you to come up
and share your opinions on how we can improve our Sheriff’s Office. You can contact me by
phone 870-809-0700, E-mail: richythatcher@yahoo.com or follow me on my facebook page.