Meet Tim Shepard
I’m a fourth-generation resident of Washington County, raised in West Fork and grounded in the values of hard work, humility, and doing right by others. Public service runs deep in my family, and my faith continues to shape how I lead: with integrity, accountability, and respect for every person I serve.
I graduated from West Fork High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from John Brown University, and a master’s in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. I also completed two of the most respected executive leadership programs in public safety, the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum’s SMIP. Both focused on long-range planning, agency leadership, and managing complex public systems.
I’ve served in local government for over two decades, working through real challenges, not theory. As a division captain with the Fayetteville Police Department, I manage internal affairs, training, recruitment, and national accreditation. I’ve overseen budgets, built cross-agency teams, developed innovative programs, and secured competitive grants to strengthen our services. I’ve worked across departments and political lines to move projects forward and improve outcomes. That’s the kind of leadership the County Judge is expected to provide, and it’s the kind of leadership I’m already delivering.
I also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Wheeler Fire Department for over seven years. I saw firsthand the importance of rural emergency response and how deeply our county depends on the people who show up daily to keep things running. From public safety and road crews to administrators and line-level employees, I’ve spent my career supporting the work behind the scenes that holds local government together.
Campaign Issues
Washington County residents are frustrated with the condition of roads and the quality of repairs. I will advocate for construction standards that prioritize long-term durability over short-term fixes. That includes qualified oversight, better planning, and a serious commitment to doing the job right the first time.
We need to stop wasting resources on work that does not hold up. Our roads should reflect the pride we take in this county and the responsibility we owe to future generations.
Washington County government should be something residents can believe in and employees can be proud of. I believe in radical transparency when it comes to operations, contracts, and public resources. People deserve to know how decisions are made, how money is spent, and who is accountable. That kind of openness is not just a promise; it is a commitment. It is a system that requires construction and ongoing maintenance.
Internally, I will work to restore professionalism and respect across every department. County employees should not have to navigate double standards or face political pressure in order to do their jobs effectively. They should be able to trust that management will do what is right, not just what is convenient. I have spent my career building policies that are fair, consistent, and designed to support both accountability and morale. That is the kind of approach I will bring to Washington County.
I grew up in the hills of southern Washington County near Devil’s Den State Park, on land that has been in my family for generations. I know what rural families value and what it feels like when their government ignores them.
I will stand up for rural property owners. That means fighting for fair zoning, stopping overreach, and ensuring that county policies reflect how people live and work in the county. I will push for greater transparency in planning decisions and give landowners a genuine voice before rules are changed.
One-size-fits-all zoning does not work in the rural parts of this county. I will ensure that landowners are respected, not sidelined, and that our way of life is protected for future generations.
With nearly 20 years of experience in law enforcement, I understand what public safety truly requires, not just in theory, but in practice. I’ve led major divisions, supervised internal investigations, managed budgets, and coordinated with state and federal partners. I will support law enforcement, fire, EMS, and courts with the tools they need to serve effectively, especially in rural areas where coordination and resource planning are most crucial.
I will respect the independence of other elected officials and departments while promoting open communication and mutual accountability. My role as County Judge will involve coordinating, facilitating, and bringing people together to build consensus around shared priorities, ensuring that projects move forward. I will work to restore trust with state agencies, local governments, volunteer departments, and private partners who’ve felt a disconnect in recent years. Washington County deserves a leader who listens, finds common ground, and gets things done without drama.
Endorsements
- Chief Mike Reynolds
- Sheriff (Ret.) Tim Helder
- Pastor Brian Disney
- Justice Of The Peace Brad Bruns
- Professor HL Goodwin
- WH Taylor
- Fmr. Fayetteville Council Member Holly Hertzberg
- Coach David Ferrell
- Chief (Ret.) Frank Johnson
- Chief Craig Stout
- Fmr. US Marshal Greg Tabor (Appointed By President Trump)
- Fmr. J.P. Sean Simons
- Fmr. County Judge Mariyln Edwards
- Springdale Council Member Brian Powell
- Fmr. Springdale Council Member Rex Bailey
- West Fork Mayor Heith Caudle
- Chief (Ret.) Rick Hoyt
- Pastor Patrick Briney & Colleen Briney
- Pastor Paul Sagan & Denise Sagan
- Teddy Cardwell, Family Advocate & Community Builder
- Tim Stanley
More Endorsements
Julian Abram
Susan Abram
Steve Anderson
Tion Augustine
Tracy & Rob Bacile
Harold Baggett
Harold & June Baggot
Jason Bailey
Doyle Baker
Elisabeth Baker
Destinee Baron
Anita Bechaud
Matthew Belk
Peggy Bills
Mark & Allenia Brannan
Tim Brents
John Brooks
Don Brumlee
Randy Burnett
Danny & Lianna Bush
Marcus Bush
Joe Buss
Scott Carlton
Courtney Cassidy
Cody Caudle
Christie Church
Edna Church
Jeff Clardy
Sylvia Clifton
Jennifer Cole
Crystal Corbitt
David & Debbie Corley
Josh Crawford
Randy Cramer
Greg Dawson
Krysta Deavins
Randall & Tangie Denzer
Stacy Dicus
Josh Dillon
Shane Donahue
Paul Dougan
Sharon Green
Lajoyce Duncan
Doug Dye
Kevin & Tammy East
Travis Eddings
Taylor Elkins
Troy & Renee Enochs
Natalie Eucce
John Falkner
Scott Farber
Michael Ferguson
Kyle & Mary Flynn
Dr Linda Ford
Tim Franklin
Jason French
Russ Garrisson
John Gibson
John Gomoransky
Shah Gonzales
Cody Green
Tommy & Stephanie Guraedy
Kai Hamilton
Patrick Hanby
Janice Hanna
Terry Harper
Seth Harris
Zina Harris
Chad Harrison
Steve & Janice Harrison
Matt & Kara Hartness
Travis Hawkins
Seth Hawley
Jon Haydon
Lisa Heffner
Todd Hertzberg
Jason Hiatt
Adrianna Hinson
Kayren Howton
Angela Huff
Chris Hussein
Kyle Jeney
James Jennings
Steven Jennings
Cauleen Johnson
Reta Johnson
Ashley Jones
Brad & Michelle Jones
Brigham Jones
Martha Jones
Spencer & Hailey Jones
Nathan & Brittany Kelly
Alex Keltner
Casey Kenley
Bobby Kennedy
Austin King
Taylor King
Eugene Kovach
George Kovach
Stan & Candi Landon
Daniel Laney
Randy Laney
Chris Lashley
John Latour
Tom & Kao Lee
Travis Lee
Eric & Kandy Lichty
Nikki Locket
Christopher Lomax
Sharon Lyons
Creston Mackey
Holly Malone
Paul Martin
Joe Maynard
Anne Mccraw
Tim & Shannon Mccuin
Rachel Mcgathy
Greg Mcgee
Mary Mckinney
Robert Mckinney
Hannah Mclarty
Lyn Mclarty
Brianna Meaders
Jarod Medart
Larry Medart
Vivian Medart
John Mikesh
Tanja Mills
Dunn Millwright
John Montes
Lindsay Moore
Janna Morse
Anthony Murphy
David & Janice Nixon
Randy Odglen
Ruth Ogden
Justus Osbon
Terry & Krystal Osbon
Trey Osbon
Catherine Osborne
Kim Oxford
Peter Oxford
Lisa & Pablo Pagalini
Brannen & Whitney Payne
Randy Peoples
Randy Perry
Ryan Phillips
Michael & Marry Phipps
Susan Pomoransky
Doug Pope
Brenda Presley
Marshall Prettyman
William Prettyman
Micayla Ramirez
Derek Redfern
Alan Reid
Brad Renfro
Hayden & Hannah Robertson
Otis Robinson
Rob Roebke
Chula Rogers
Anonda Rosa
Richie Russell
James Scanlon
Dan Shepard
Sharon Shepard
Anthony Smith
Courtney Smith
Pastor Zach Stachey
Melvin Stanley
Jason Stillwell
Steven Stone
Beverly Stout
Dawn Stout
Bruce Strain
William Styles
Marie Sylvester
Zane Taillon
Donald Talley
Tonyia Tannehill
Brenda Vassaur Taylor
Coleman Taylor
Teresa Tedford
James Terry
Linda Terry
Josh Threewit
Zach Treadway
Mollie Vaughn
Chris Vaught
Jesse Vermillion
Mick Wagner
Charlie & Debra Ward
Renita Ward
Carrie Warren
Chuck Washington
Brian Waters
Dylan Weisenfels
Stephen Weir
Daniel White
Nick White
Buck Whitmill
Ariel Wiggins
Jon Wilson
Kenn Willyard
Judith Winn
Larry & Judith Wolfe
Blake Wood
Payton Wood
Rick Woods
