POCAHONTAS, AR Sept. 6–Chief Deputy Waldrupe began his career in the service industry in 1994 as a volunteer firefighter with the Walnut Ridge Fire Department; he transitioned to a fulltime firefighter later that year. In 2001, Waldrupe started his law enforcement career with Walnut Ridge Police Department (WRPD) after graduating from BRTC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA). While serving the WRPD, Waldrupe was promoted from Patrolman to Sergeant to Captain.
In October of 2014, Waldrupe was appointed by Quorum Court as Sheriff of Lawrence County when the sitting Sheriff sought other employment and left a vacancy. In 2015, he accepted the position of Chief Deputy under the newly elected Sheriff, Jeff Yates, and holds that position today. In 2016, he was awarded Lawrence County Officer of the Year by Arkansas Attorney General, Leslie Rutledge.
In 2004, he began attending Gethsemane Baptist Church and serves as a Deacon and Head of Security. He and his wife, Michelle, reside in Walnut Ridge. They have three sons, Houston, Gavin and Colman.