In the words of Gandhi, as we serve others we are working on ourselves; every act, every word, every gesture of genuine compassion naturally nourishes our hearts as well.
The community spotlight this week is shining on a man who has been serving and protecting the citizens of this community for over 30 years. I would like to introduce Alan Cockrill. Cockrill, a Batesville native, has worked with Vital Link EMS, the Arkansas State Police, the Independence County Sheriff’s Department, the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and recently retired as Chief of Police for the Batesville Police Department. Currently, he is the new Security Specialist for Bad Boy, Inc.
Q: What has been your biggest professional achievement?
A: The re-creation of the Batesville Police Department. Mayor Elumbaugh and the city council had enough confidence in me that they hired me to create a police department in January 2015. We started taking calls at 6 a.m. on June 1, 2015. I hired John Scarbrough, assistant chief and I had a lot of good help.
Q: What is your greatest personal achievement?
A: A great daughter, a great son, five great stepchildren, and four wonderful grandkids.
Q: What’s a project you’re working on right now? Why is it meaningful to you?
A: Within my new role as Security Specialist for Bad Boy Inc., my main responsibility is employee accountability. I will also make sure that procedures are in place to deal with any emergency, whether it be a fire, tornado, or active shooter. For example, if a tornado hit one of our buildings then my job is to know exactly how many people were in that building so we know what to look for.
Q: What charitable or nonprofit organizations do you support and why?
A: I love to golf so I am passionate about The Howard House Memorial Golf Tournament that supports the Advocacy Home for Children. I have a real dedication to this organization because of what they do for this community.
Q: What is a fun fact that people probably don’t know about you?
A: Everything I have ever done everyone already knows about, but I love to golf, hunt, fish, and aggravate my grandsons. I am a prankster and I often say things just to see what reaction I get. (not in a mean way)
Q: What are your future goals and aspirations?
A: I want to be successful in fulfilling my duties as a Security Specialist and be a benefit to the Bad Boy Corporation. This is a recently created position, and my goal is that when I leave here the Board of Directors, CEO, and all administration will say that I was a good hire. And that there will be ten people lined up to apply for this position.
Q: Who inspires you and why?
A: My dad before he died was probably my greatest inspiration. He taught me a good work ethic. When I was 14 I wanted a motorcycle, he took me to pick one out and then took me straight to my first job. The motorcycle came with a payment book. I have worked ever since then.
Q: What do you like best about this community?
A: Overall, I think we have some great industry for our younger people that want to stay here. We have Bad Boy Inc., White River Health, FutureFuel, Flowers Bakery, PECO, and Georges to name a few organizations that allow people to start entry-level and work their way up. We have Batesville, Southside, Cedar Ridge, Lyon College, and UACCB that provide quality education. This allows local people to get employment with decent wages, quality education, and healthcare locally. They can provide for and raise a family here in their hometown.
Q: What experiences and past roles have led you to where you are today?
A: In February of 1986, my dad got me a job with Sheriff Fulbright. I was appointed Independence County Sheriff in 2010 and fulfilled Keith Bowers ‘ eight-month term. Then the city allowed me to re-create the Batesville Police Department. Then Bad Boys Inc. recognized my past achievements and trusted me to start this position and make something valuable of it.
Do you know someone you would like to see in the Community Spotlight? Send information to bcurbo@guardonline.com
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