Pulaski County Sheriff Stacy Ball officially took office following a swearing in ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the courthouse. At right is his fiancée Jamie Marie Stearns.
Pulaski County Sheriff Stacy Ball was sworn in by Judge Mike Headrick on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Pulaski County Courthouse. With Ball is his fiancée Jamie Marie Stearns.
Pulaski County Sheriff Stacy Ball officially took office following a swearing in ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the courthouse. At right is his fiancée Jamie Marie Stearns.
Photo submitted by Stacy Ball
Pulaski County Sheriff Stacy Ball was sworn in by Judge Mike Headrick on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Pulaski County Courthouse. With Ball is his fiancée Jamie Marie Stearns.
Stacy Ball of Waynesville officially took his place as the new sheriff of Pulaski County following a swearing in ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Pulaski County Courthouse in Waynesville.
“I ran for sheriff because I felt in my heart this county needed a change,” Ball told the Pulaski County Weekly. “I have a proven track record of strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to public service, backed by over a decade of experience as a Senior Leader in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. I have handled hundreds of cases and worked tirelessly in the detective bureau and narcotics investigations; I felt I was ready to lead a complex operation like the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office and focus on community safety.”
Ball won the general election Nov. 5 by 75.13 percent.
He fills the top law enforcement position replacing Sheriff Jimmy Bench who did not run for reelection. Ball, a Republican, took 11,082 votes, and challenger Independent Regina Utley 3,669.
Of the sheriff’s department, Ball said teamwork is the key to success.
“None of my accomplishments were mine alone,” Ball said. “I have worked alongside outstanding city officers, deputies, detectives, task force officers, highway patrol troopers, federal agents and engaged citizens. Many of these complex cases required collaboration, and together, we solved cases and made arrests that contributed to a safer community.
“I will focus on teamwork among my personnel and our local agencies. I felt as if everyone sometimes was too territorial; I want to change that mentality. I am a team player. My personnel will be team players. I don't care what agency solves the case, what agency gets the drugs, what agency retrieves the stolen property, or whatever the case may be. As long as we solve it, get it, and retrieve it. That is all I care about and all my citizens care about. Intelligence sharing, and teamwork with each other as law enforcement agencies is the only way we will be able to stay on the offensive and be proactive as a county.”
See something, say something
Ball said he needs and wants the help of Pulaski County residents.
“I need your information and trust me, we will take care of your information,” he said. “Your nugget of information might not mean something at the moment. It might not mean anything in three days. But as we get information and start piecing things together your nugget of information may fit and be the piece we need to move a case along, make a case, or even solve a case. If you see something, say something. I need the help of my citizens.”
True power comes from the people
“As sheriff, I am no better than the citizens I serve,” Ball added. “My only goal is to improve services, increase efficiency and ensure that the people of Pulaski County receive the high-quality service they deserve as taxpayers. I’m not driven by power – true power comes from the people. I am here to serve and defend the constitutional rights of every citizen in this county.
“The Bill of Rights was created to guarantee our freedom and independence and to protect us from government overreach. I firmly believe it is the duty of the sheriff to stand with the people. I will uphold this responsibility by defending the Constitution and protecting individuals from any infringement on their rights, whether by another person, the government, or any other entity.”
