Hometown Hero Mike Wilbanks Helping to keep Farmington one of Arkansas ’ safest cities
By Karen Rice
Deputy Chief Mike Wilbanks didn ’ t grow up dreaming of becoming a police officer and admits his path “ is a little different than most .”
Wilbanks graduated from Farmington High School . He left his hometown to take some college courses and worked in the printing industry and commercial construction before finding his way back .
Wilbanks admits to having “ a misperception of law enforcement as a young person that I now know to be wrong ,” until he had a meeting that changed his mind and his career path .
In 1996 , in small store in south Sebastian County , Wilbanks had an interaction with a law enforcement officer . The officer , sensing Wilbanks ’ negative attitude , asked him , “ So you don ’ t really care too much for law enforcement officers , do you ?”
Wilbanks recalled , “ My very honest response came from young ignorance . Fortunately , he was a veteran officer , and he grinned and said , ‘ If you ever want to know what it is we do , you can sign a waiver and ride along with me on a shift .’”
Two days later , Wilbanks signed that waiver and went for a ride-along . That night , in addition to occasionally speeding with lights and sirens on , he witnessed the officer interacting with the public in a variety of situations . That experience changed his mind about law enforcement .
“ I realized that I should education myself before making assumptions and running my mouth ,” Wilbanks said . “ I hope you had the opportunity to see what it ’ s really like ,” the officer told the young Wilbanks , “ and if you ever change your mind about law enforcement , they are taking applications all the time .
That was 28 years ago . Shortly after his ride-along , Wilbanks applied and went through the reserve program . He started his career as a reserve officer with the Sebastian County Sheriff ’ s Office in mid-1997 .
From there , in 2009 , he went to work with the Washington County Sheriff ’ s Office and came back home to Farmington .
As deputy chief , Wilbanks assists Chief Brian Hubbard in the day-to-day operations , budgeting , policy issues and interactions with other agencies . The 22-member department has a good working relationship with the other Washington County cities around Farmington .
Wilbanks feels fortunate to work and live in a community that doesn ’ t have a high crime rate .
“ We ’ re growing , but there ’ s still a small-town feel . We ’ re blessed . We ’ ve always been one of the safest cities in Arkansas . I wear that as a badge of pride ,” he said .
Wilbanks believes that has a lot to do with the police presence in Farmington , and he also credits the outstanding support from the city council and the citizens themselves .
“ That ’ s why I ’ ve been here for 15 years . It ’ s an outstanding place to be .”
The relationship between the police and the community is of utmost importance , Wilbanks pointed out .
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“ This is a position of service . As an officer , we ’ re part of the community . There is no ‘ them and us ,’ no divide between law enforcement and the public .”
As far as being named a Hometown Hero , Wilbanks said , “ I don ’ t want to appear ungrateful , and I ’ m honored that someone thought of me that way , but I don ’ t consider myself a hero . I do what I do because I don ’ t like to see the strong taking advantage of the weak . There are single moms working and raising kids , people dying on foreign soil , guys hanging power lines . There are heroes are all around us , every day .”
Wilbanks stated that he feels very blessed to have the opportunity to interact with people , even though a lot of times it isn ’ t in the best situation . “ But if I ’ ve made an impact in a positive way , then my 30-year career will have been worth it ,” he said .
Photo by : Alan Cruz Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette