Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

On Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018 a fire broke out in the kitchen area of the Union County Detention Facility. As smoke began to fill the kitchen, members of the Sheriff’s Office, with the aid of El Dorado Police Officers and Arkansas State Police Troopers, directed all inmates of the facility to two outside yards, away from the smoke and fire. Within minutes the El Dorado Fire Department arrived on the scene and quickly contained and extinguished the fire. With the rapid response EFD firefighters put out what could have been a tremendous amount of damage to our facility. We are thankful for the response and professionalism of our fellow first responders.

Additionally, thanks to Capt. Jason Perdieu and the good people of the Salvation Army who came in on short notice to be sure the inmates had breakfast the next morning. Thanks to Judge Mike Loftin who came to the facility and assisted with decisions that had to be made quickly. Our thanks to ERC for their quick response who erected a wall in the kitchen allowing the kitchen to be up and running after one day. And thanks to Quality Electric for their quick response getting electricity back on to the facility.

Our hats are off to the owner and employees of Tiger Commissary who on a moment’s notice drove through the night bringing a food truck and supplies to provide meals until the jail’s kitchen could get back up and running.

And last but certainly not least, to the employees and administration of the Union County Sheriff’s Office for your quick actions to ensure all inmates were kept safe and secure during this time. I’m grateful to be working alongside some of the finest men and women who are dedicated to this department and to the citizens of Union County. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe. Ricky Roberts Union County Sheriff El Dorado