Former sheriff, Ferguson dies
BENTONVILLE — Former Benton County Sheriff Keith Ferguson was remembered Saturday after his death.
“He was a hell of a guy,” Mike Sydoriak said. “I enjoyed working with him.”
Sydoriak served as captain and head of the criminal investigation division during Ferguson’s tenure over the Sheriff’s Office.
Sydoriak said he talked to Ferguson a few months ago and learned of his death Saturday. Ferguson was 79.
“I really liked him and of all the sheriffs I worked for, Ferguson was my favorite,” Sydoriak said.
Sydoriak said he worked for five or six sheriffs.
He said he first met Ferguson while working in the jail and Ferguson would bring people to the jail.
“He (Ferguson) was a real sheriff for the deputies and fought for them,” Sydoriak said. “He was a good guy, but he could get mad at you.”
Sydoriak said he was always amazed by the number of Ferguson’s friends and it seemed Ferguson knew everyone.
“We could go to lunch and he knew everyone,” Sydoriak said. “He could hardly eat from talking to so many people.”
Ferguson was a state trooper for more than three decades before serving five terms as sheriff, from 2003 to 2012.
Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green said she had the privilege to work with Ferguson on criminal investigations when she was prosecuting attorney and then on civil matters and lawsuits when she was the county’s civil attorney.
“He was known for being calm and composed in high-stress situations and fearless in the face of violent situations,” Green said. “On many occasions I saw Sheriff Ferguson display the courage to stand up for what was right even under pressure to do otherwise. He will be sorely missed.”
Chris Sparks served different roles at the Sheriff’s Office under Ferguson’s leadership.
“Sheriff Keith Ferguson was someone I had so much respect for,” Sparks said. “He was a great sheriff, mentor and always supported Kimberly and I. He took an active role in community policing and was a main contributor to the creation of the Police Athletic League.”
Sydoriak said the Sheriff’s Office’s cyber crime unit was started under Ferguson’s leadership.
Ferguson began his career as a trooper with the Arkansas State Police in 1969, and retired from that in 2002. That was the same year he made his first bid for the sheriff’s office, when he won a