MADISON COUNTY, Arkansas — The Madison County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) has responded to criticism of how the office handled the missing person case of Taylor Barksdale who was later found dead.
The sheriff's office most recently came under scrutiny during a homicide investigation, where it was revealed that the victim, formerly reported as missing, was potentially the subject of a 911 call just days prior.
Prosecutor Matt Durrett previously told 5NEWS that a 911 call came from the area on Aug. 5, and the caller reported she could hear a woman screaming as if she were in distress.
However, the deputy on duty at the time did not respond. Durrett said the deputy later resigned, but that he didn't have any more information.
In a letter later posted to social media, Madison County Sheriff Ronnie Boyd addressed the negative comments surrounding the Barksdale case, saying the following:
"I know the recent case of what happened to Taylor Barksdale has angered and dismayed a lot of people, many of those were already looking for any reason to go after the sheriff's office or me personally. For those who are using this situation to further your already existing personal grievance with the sheriff's office or me, I find that despicable. To say that the incident did not sit well with me, either, would be an understatement. My sympathies are with Taylor's family and friends. I wish that I could turn back time and create a different outcome, but I know I can't. To Taylor's family and friends, I want to say that I am sorry.
Our deputy on the morning of August 5, 2024, failed Taylor and could have potentially saved her life by just responding to the call. I have acknowledged his wrongdoing from the start and not once tried to cover it up as some have suggested. I will not speak on the former deputy's behalf, but I know that the decision he made is something that he will have to deal with for a long time, if not for the rest of his life. I want to assure Taylor's family and friends that we are working hard to find out the full truth of what happened to Taylor and hope to bring justice and some semblance of peace to them."
Boyd also took the opportunity to explain that MCSO is presently understaffed and overloaded, and that he has faced numerous challenges since his election, making enemies in the process, but that he is still committed to his job.
"The consensus of those who remain committed to making the sheriff's office a better place in regard to work environment and its ability to serve its citizens has remained firm in that we would rather work shorthanded than to deal with those who aren't striving to meet those principles," Boyd said.
Boyd said the principles are "show up ready to do your job, do your job to the best of your ability, do what's right, and treat people with respect."
Boyd condemned those "bashing" the sheriff's office, questioning their willingness to help the community.
"For those of you who are continually bashing the sheriff's office any chance you get, what do you hope to accomplish? What are you going to do when no one wants to serve for the sheriff's office? Do you think things are going to magically get better for everyone without a sheriff's office," Boyd questioned. "Are we to count on you to protect and serve others in an improved capacity? What have you done to help others like Taylor? I can tell you what we've done. We've answered numerous calls over and over on the same people in similar situations."
Boyd ended the letter by requesting the community to "see the good" that MCSO is doing.
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