Lepanto names new police chief

John Wayne Davis is the new police chief in Lepanto. (Tribune photo/Marissa Holiman)

There's a new police chief in town. John Wayne Davis of Trumann has great expectations for the community of Lepanto.

"I really want to work with the youth and do some school programs about drugs," Davis said. "I also love to work with children that need a big brother."

Davis attended Trumann High School and obtained a GED after he left school his senior year.

"I left school to care for my grandmother while she was sick," Davis said. "She died of cancer."

He has been married for 24 years to Brenda Lynn Davis. Davis has two children, one son, Adin J. Snyder; one daughter, Stacy L. Davis-McGinnis and five grandchildren. He is a member of the Swifton Baptist Church.

"We work with the community that we live in," Davis said. "I feel it makes a stronger community."

Davis has 11 years experience in law enforcement.

"I started the police department in Joiner from scratch," he said.

Davis has served as Chief of Police for seven years and two years as a patrol officer.

"I know and understand the duties of Chief of Police, as well as Patrol Supervisor," he said.

When Davis was younger he always wanted to be a trooper.

"And I still do want to be a trooper," Davis said. "Working in a smaller community as an officer just kind of stuck with me."

One of the main reasons that Davis got into law enforcement is the passion of being able to help others.

"I really truly enjoy helping people," he said.

Although one of his top priorities is cleaning up drug problems in Lepanto, Davis has other hopes for the community.

"My main goal at this point is to build rapport with the police department and the community," he said. "We need to get respect back and I hope to make a difference in the town of Lepanto."