Tommy Robinson, controversial Arkansas sheriff, dies at age 82

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – Tommy Robinson, a former Pulaski County sheriff and U.S. congressman known for controversial and headline-grabbing events, has died at age 82.

Born on March 7, 1942, Robinson rose to prominence in the 1980s after winning an election for sheriff of Pulaski County. There, Robinson garnered state media attention with controversial tactics while wrestling with the county jail’s overcrowding problem.

Robinson frequently clashed with other county officials, including arresting the judge and the county auditor, who was subsequently jailed by a federal judge for contempt of court.

The sheriff was also involved in the trial of Barry Lee Fairchild, a death row inmate who was executed in 1983 for the murder of Greta Mason despite allegedly making a coerced confession and questioning the evidence. Fairchild recanted his testimony but was executed in 1995 after years of appeals and hearings.

Robinson was then elected to Congress as a Democrat, but switched to the Republican Party during his third term. He left Congress in 1991 and faced further controversy when 996 checks bounced from a U.S. House bank account.

He later served in various positions under Governor Mike Huckabee and was a member of the state parole board from 2000 to 2002.

Robinson died at Forrest City Medical Center around 7 p.m. on July 10, according to the St. Francis County coroner. He died of natural causes after a brief illness.

We will update this article with more information as it becomes available.