Sheriff under friendly fire at Roast & Toast fundraiser
Charles “Doc” Holladay — a 47-year law enforcement veteran whose service as Pulaski County sheriff comes to a close when 2018 does — was mostly toasted at a June 21 Roast & Toast held to raise money for the Compassion in Action Re-Entry program.
David Bazzel was master of ceremonies for the dinner, which took place at Chenal Country Club. Compassion in Action founder Michael F. Johninson Sr. welcomed guests.
The Rev. Donnie Copeland introduced the speaker for the evening, state Rep. Fred Allen, who waxed inspirational about overcoming challenges before the roasters and toasters took the microphone.
Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde offered only one jab when he acknowledged Holladay’s book, Little Rock Police Department History and Personnel, published in 2005 by Turner Publishing Co. “It is considered the most historical account of the department’s history that no one has ever read,” Hyde joked.
Holladay’s campaign manager, Linda Napper, ribbed Holladay about his “$27,000 hats” (added recently to deputies’ uniforms) and shared campaign stories of how popular Holladay’s signs were … thanks to his sharing a name with the legendary dentist/ gunfighter/Wyatt Earp pal.
Lt. Ron Routh of the sheriff’s department told a story about how Holladay, a former public information officer, announced that the “F.F.A.” was investigating a plane crash. David Montague of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock treated the honoree to a serious lauding.
Annie Abrams, the event’s 2016 honoree, was presented belatedly with her trophy. Abrams also accepted a trophy on behalf of Sherman Tate, a past honoree.
— Story and photos by
Helaine R. Williams