Bob Davidson (Photo courtesy of Izard County Sheriff’s Office)
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its past leaders. Former Interim Sheriff Bob Davidson of Sage died Thursday at the age of 89.
In his earlier years, Davidson left Mount Pleasant High School following the first semester of his senior year and enlisted in the United States Navy to volunteer his services in the Korean War. He sailed on the USS Preston Naval Destroyer. While in the Navy, he also earned his GED.
Davidson was a founding member and commander of the first SWAT Team of the Little Rock Police Department. In 1972, he traveled with his rifle team from the Little Rock P.D. to the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. At the end of the training, he finished second in a national sharp shooting contest.
After being promoted to sergeant and serving 13 years on the force at Little Rock, Davidson and his family moved back to Izard County. He and his wife, Arlene, owned and operated a general merchandise store in downtown Sage for nine years.
In 1990, Davidson was defeated by Danny Haley in the race for Izard County sheriff. Sheriff Haley offered him a position on the force. Davidson would eventually be promoted to chief deputy and later served as interim sheriff in 1994 after Haley resigned for health reasons.
Davidson later served as dispatcher under the Joe Martz administration. While his brother, Don Davidson, was the Izard County judge, Bob served as his road foreman.
Funeral services for Bob Davidson will be Tuesday afternoon at 1 at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel in Melbourne. Visitation will be Monday evening from 6 to 8 at Eddie’s Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Burial with Navy honors will be at Finley Creek Cemetery.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI