Is Facebook Post About Saline County Sheriff Candidate Richard Friend Fact or Fiction ?….Spoiler Alert: It’s Fiction
Jan 31, 2026
Yesterday morning a man by the name of Rick Cross made a Facebook Post claiming Saline County Sheriff Candidate James Richard Friend has had two Orders of Protection issued against him from allegations from two different women.
The Saline County Sheriff’s race has become a hot topic not only in Saline County but across Central Arkansas so it’s no surprise that several people started contacting me asking that I do that thing I do and investigate it.
The requests were not just from people who support Friend but also those who oppose him, including Rick Cross himself.
You know that old saying “Be careful what you wish for.”….That’s about to apply.
Let’s start with the most retar….I mean stupid of the two.
Cross claimed that James Richard Friend had a Protection Order issued against him in Lonoke County that was filed on January 12th, 2016.
Well first off, the Case he was referring to, 38DR-16-7, was in Lawrence County Circuit Court, not Lonoke.
Second, the Court records show that no Protection Order was issued.
Third, and most importantly, the defendant was NOT James Richard Friend….No Sir.
Now are you ready for this ?….The Defendant was Richard James Friend, which records show is a 51-year-old man that lives in the city of Hoxie in Lawrence County.
I spoke with Saline County Sheriff Candidate James Richard Friend who told me he has never lived in Hoxie nor Lawrence County. He also provided me a photocopy of his Driver’s License as added proof of his name.
Now I didn’t bother to ask Cross if this was just an honest mistake on his part concerning James Richard Friend’s name because I’m not seeing where honesty ever comes into play with his post.
As to the second claim of a Protection Order, let’s look at the facts concerning it.
On September 26th, 2014, James Richard Friend’s now ex-wife, Jackie Friend, filed a petition for a Protection Order against him in Washington County Circuit Court.
Included in that petition is a sworn affidavit that stated her then husband threatened to beat her ass if she got him in trouble with his job.
As is routine in these matters, the Judge on the case, Doug Martin, issued a Temporary Protection Order until a hearing could be held on the matter to determine the facts.
The hearing was held on October 23rd, 2014, where Judge Martin determined the allegations by Ms. Friend were not sustained by proof and he dismissed her petition for a Protection Order and vacated the Temporary Order.
Those are the facts which is a far cry from what Cross put in his post.
Just as I said to supporters of James Richard Friend in an article I put out on Thursday, I now say to Cross and those spreading his post. If your goal was to hurt James Richard Friend, well you have failed miserably and have only hurt the candidate you support.
In short, my advice to Cross is ….Shut Up !
Now I checked myself earlier and the more I think about it I shouldn’t have because the reality is Stupid just doesn’t cover this….Gotta go with Retarded.
#FactsNotFiction
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
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