FUNERAL SERVICES PLANNED TODAY FOR DUNKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF

KENNETT -- Funeral arrangments have been announced for Sheriff Jim Elliott, who died at his home in Kennett Thursday morning.

Visitation was Friday at the First United Pentecostal Church in Kennett.

Funeral services will be conducted at the church today at 2:30 p.m.

Interment will be in Memorial Garden Cemetery in Kennett.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the McDaniel Funeral Service of Kennett.

Elliott, 53, was diagnosed with liver cancer about 1 years ago and had been battling the disease ever since.

Flags are at half staff in respect for the popular public servant.

Although he spent nearly 20 years in the public sector as a law enforcement officer, friends describe Elliott as a very private person who shunned personal publicity.

"Jim was a true gentleman," said county prosecuting attorney Steve Sokolff. "He was a superb sheriff and ran a first-rate department.

"He was somebody I always felt like I could talk to and work with. I was proud to know him."

Elliott, 53, was born at Bragg City and attended school in that community, graduating from the old Bragg City High School.

He was the son of Grace and the late Ted Elliott.

Jim is survived by wife, Kathy; a son, Ted Elliott of Holcomb and his mother, Grace Elliott.

He is also survived by three sisters and one brother.

His father and two brothers preceded him in death.

After graduation from high school Elliott worked at a factory in St. Louis before returning to the Bootheel in the 1960s.

He began his law enforcement career as a member of the Kennett Police Department July 1, 1969. During the six years he spent with the department, he served as the lieutenant in charge of the night shift for four years.

He resigned from the police department March 24, 1975 and joined the Greene County Arkansas Sheriff's Department where he served as chief deputy sheriff during 1975 and 1976.

He returned to Kennett and ran unsuccessfully for the office of chief of police in Kennett in 1977.

He worked as general manager of East Y Motors in Kennett until early in 1979. He left the job to campaign full time for election as chief of police in April 1979.

He won the election and served as chief of the Kennett Police Department from April 17, 1979 until January 1, 1985 when he became Dunklin County Sheriff. He was reelected chief of police in 1981 and 1983, resigning the office December 31, 1984.

Elliott won the Democratic nomination for sheriff in a five candidate race in August 1984. He was elected to office after defeating his Republican opponent in the November general election.