Henry picked for assistant police chief

Gary Henry stands outside his new office. (Democrat Tribune photo/Mark Randall)

After 11 years with Trumann Police Department, Gary Henry is no longer an outsider or a darn Yankee.

The Jonesboro native was promoted this week to assistant police chief by Chief Tony Rusher.

"I'm pleased and very happy," Henry said. "And I was surprised. There were five other guys that applied and even though I've known Tony for 11 years, he wasn't saying for sure. He likes to keep you in suspense."

Henry will step in to the position that Rusher held for the last five years before becoming chief following the untimely death of Larry Blagg. He will be in charge of supervising the patrol shifts, vehicle and building maintenance, firing range, collecting warrants and fines, and in-house training.

There were six applicants from within the department who applied for the No. 2 spot.

Rusher said he selected Henry because of his good rapport with his colleagues and close working relationship with him over the years.

"He'll be a good liaison with me and what's going on with patrol," Rusher said.

Henry will also oversee the Criminal Investigation Division which is something new that Rusher is adding to the job description.

"CID in the past would either go to the assistant chief or the chief and it was kind of a confusing thing," Rusher said. "We're going to try it where everyone reports through the assistant chief. It's something different than we normally have done. We hope it will make it a smoother chain and for a better flow of information."

Rusher said he has no doubt that Henry is up for the job but warned him about the numerous headaches he will have to deal with.

"There is so much stuff to keep up with," Rusher said. "But I expect he'll do just fine."

Henry said he expects it to be a smooth transition from patrol sergeant to assistant chief, but admitted it's going to seem strange at first now that he will be directly above some of the guys he has worked for the past 11 years.

"I don't think it will be a boss thing," Henry said. "We're a small department and we all work together. I get along with everybody and I try and treat people the way I want to be treated."

He's already taken some good natured ribbing though since the announcement.

"I've had them sending me text messages saying congratulations, sir. Or do we call you Your Honor?'" Henry said. "They're already giving me a hard time."

Henry said when he came to the TPD 11 years ago he never dreamed he would one day be assistant police chief.

Coming from Jonesboro it took him a while before the public finally accepted him as a Trumann native.

"I can remember arresting someone way back and he was throwing a fit and had to go with one of the Trumann guys who were from here," Henry said. "He said 'he doesn't know us Ronnie Dye. He's in Wildcat Country.' And then three years later we're arresting him again, me and some of the new guys, and he said 'Gary, you better tell them. He's not from here like you and me. He don't know. We're the Wildcats.' Same guy. Three years ago I was the outsider and he wasn't going to go with me. So I guess I am accepted here now."

Rusher said he used to kid Henry all the time because he was from 'up North in Jonesboro.'

"We used to work nights together and I'd give him heck because he talked fast," Rusher said. "I was a shift sergeant and I'd say 'it's that darn Yankee attitude.'"

Now that he is in administration, Henry said he's sure there will be times when he will miss being on the street.

"I'll miss it because I like interacting with the public and getting the bad people that are causing the problems," Henry said. "But I think I'll be able to handle it and with Chief Rusher's help I know I can. I'm sure any questions I have he'll be able to answer."