Deputy James Nolen

Deputy James Nolen became a police officer sometime in 1970's when he went to work as patrolman for the City of Clarendon. He spent about three years working for Chief Ned James when he needed someone to fill a vacancy created by a full time officer leaving. 

James also worked part-time for Forrest Plumlee prior to 1972, when Sheriff Plumlee retired. At that time James ran for Sheriff along with six other candidates and lost to Larry Morris. 

At that time he worked for the Mohawk Tire and Rubber Company located in West Helena Arkansas where he was elected by his fellow workers as President of Local Union 539 of the United Rubber workers of America. James also served as President of the Eastern Arkansas Labor Council which represented working people in Phillips, Lee, St. Francis and Monroe Counties. After being elected President of the Labor Council he was appointed to the Arkansas AFL/CIO and served on that committee under J. Bill Becker. James was then appointed to International Union of the United Rubber Workers in Akron Ohio under the supervision of Peter Bommarito then president. 

James joined the staff at the Monroe County Sheriff's Department in 1980 and graduated from the Arkansas Police Training Academy in January of 1981. James remained at that job and worked Criminal Investigation, Drug Investigation, Arson as well as other duties as Jail Administrator and patrol. 

In 1992 he retired and took employment with Lee Truck Brokers for 13 months before returning to police work with Sheriff Dave Parkman as Narcotics Investigator. This was a job that he possibly liked better than any previous job in law enforcement. However, the City of Holly Grove offered better wages that St. Francis County could pay, and offered him the Chief of Police job. James served as Chief until he returned to his old job at Monroe County. 

" There is one thing I would like to say to the people of Monroe County. I thank you for the opportunity I have had to serve you. I want to thank the Sheriff and County Judge for giving me the opportunity to serve. I also want to thank the fellow officers from Monroe County, Brinkley, Clarendon, Holly Grove and the Arkansas State Police who have always been there, and a special thanks to the communication staff.