Update:
BATESVILLE, Ark. – We’ve learned from the Independence County Coroner that the local sheriff’s chief deputy who died Saturday had suffered a heart attack.
We first reported Sunday that Independence County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeff Sims died Saturday. He was 44.
He leaves behind a wife and children, along with his brothers in blue.
Sims’ funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Batesville.
Click here for his online obituary and guestbook.
Original story:
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY, Ark.– Law enforcement agencies pull together to help a community mourning the sudden death of one of their leaders. The Independence County Sheriff Office’s second in command Chief Deputy Jeff Sims passed away Saturday.
According to the Batesville Police Chief, the 44-year-old was found dead in his home Saturday afternoon. Chief Alan Cockrill said foul play is not suspected.
Facebook posts shared shock on Sunday.
Lt. Kyle Williford with the Batesville Police Department talked with us about the man he knew and called a friend for more than a decade.
He explained his Facebook post, “At the end of it I just put in quotations Go Falcons just kind of in his honor because that was Jeff. That was his life. He was all about the Falcons.”
He knew Chief Deputy Sims not just from working with him in the past.
“I was actually a victim of a crime forgery and Jeff worked that case,” he explained.
Since then the two’s friendship flourished until Saturday when the husband and father was found dead.
“We’ve (Batesville Police) been through tragic situations as well and have had other agencies step in for us including the Independence County Sheriff’s Office.”
So the Batesville Police Department returns the favor but not alone.
“Along with the Jackson County Sheriff’s office (and) Arkansas State Police we all have officers that we’ve designated to the county,” he told us.
He explained it helps give Sims deputies the time to grieve while keeping the community safe.
Lt. Williford said, “I mean it’s a brotherhood.”
Just like those Atlanta Falcons that Sims held so dear, these brothers in blue are a team too.
“When we worked here for the Batesville police department his office was covered in Falcons memorabilia and the same with the sheriff’s office as well,” he explained.
Sims exact cause of death has not been determined yet.
His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Batesville.
