John R. Long was the sheriff of Lawrence County in the early 1920s. The Arkansas Daily Gazette tells of an episode in his early career.

In September 1922, S.R. Morgan, a banker from Little Rock, was indicted on several counts of misconduct, including embezzlement. He was implicated in the failure of the Bank of Black Rock. He was placed under bond for $6000  and awaited trial at a hotel. Long kept him under surveillance. For what ever reason, Morgan decided to leave Powhatan and return to Little Rock, where he was re-arrested by city police at Long's request. While Morgan's attorneys tried to get a writ of habeas corpus to prevent his extradition to Powhatan, Long hired a taxi and attempted to take Morgan back anyway. Judge Wade of Little Rock granted the writ, and Morgan's attorneys overtook Long near Searcy. Served with the writ, he had no choice but to release his prisoner, who went back to Little Rock yet again.

According to Long, Morgan alternated between sobbing and putting on a brave face during their brief car ride.

Contemporary newspaper accounts of the incident refer to Long as "acting" sheriff, and stated that this was his "first official mission."

Source:

Arkansas Daily Gazette. September 4, 1922. p.10

Ibid. September 6, 1922. p. 1