With 30 years of service, Sgt. Lee Ledbetter is retiring from law enforcement. His career began with the Arkadelphia Police Department in 1994.
After relocating to Bryant with his wife, Shannon, Lee continued his career with the Bryant Police Department, serving in various roles. In 2010, then-Chief Mark Kizer invited him to discuss his future with the department. During that conversation, Lee proposed reviving the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, which had been discontinued a few years prior. Working alongside Chief Kizer, Mayor Dabbs, and the Bryant School District, the effort succeeded in reestablishing the program and assembling a dedicated team of officers led by Jencenson Payte, Paul Tarvin, and Lee.
The revival of the SRO program was driven by a commitment to fostering strong relationships between law enforcement and the school community. The program has since played a key role in promoting safety, support, and positive engagement for students and staff. Sgt. Ledbetter’s leadership and influence played a significant role in creating the stellar SRO program in place today.
An added bonus to his role at the district, Lee was able to attend all of the activities of his two sons, Austin and Ethan. He is proud of the fact that all six football state championships had a Ledbetter boy on the team!
Lee said, “It has been an amazing 30 year career. During the past 24 years in Bryant I have developed some amazing relationships and have made friends for life.
I really don’t look at this as a normal retirement but a new chapter of my life. When we return to school after Christmas break, I will work for the school district in the role of an armed security officer for Collegeville Elementary. During the summer, I plan to spend summers in Fayetteville as a proud grandpa.
I want to thank the Arkadelphia Police Department, Caddo Valley Police Department, Bryant Police Department and the Bryant School District for the opportunities that I have had the past 30 years.”
Thank you, Lee, for your dedicated service and leadership. Bryant Public Schools wishes Sgt. Ledbetter all the best in his retirement.