Larry Freligh

Ripley native Larry Freligh recently declared his candidacy for the seat of Ripley Town Justice, filling the one year vacancy left by the late Honorable Laverne Gibson. Freligh has said that his focus will be “to be fair and honest and look at each case with an open mind” in carrying out his official duties, “courtesy and respect are important as well as showing compassion and humility.”

He has received the Republican and Conservative party endorsements and is in the running for the general election coming up Nov. 6.

Freligh has extensive experience in law enforcement and judicial protocol during his career with the Mississippi County Sheriffs Department in Arkansas, working with youthful offenders as a Juvenile Officer and also as a Juvenile Probation Officer.

From here he moved on to further community service as a County Veterans Service Officer until his retirement and relocation back to his hometown in Ripley.

He attended Ripley Central School and went on to have an extensive military career serving for over two decades in assignments such as Generals Aide for General of the Army, Omar N. Bradley as well as a Presidential guard during the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter. Freligh was also an Aide to the Commander of the 2nd Armored Division in Germany.

Following his retirement, Freligh continued to serve his community on the Ripley Free Library Board of Directors, the board of the Ripley Central School, as well as serving on the board of the Ripley First Presbyterian Church where he is a member. He also serves as the Service Officer and Chaplain of the Ripley VFW Post No. 2769.

Freligh has four grown children: SGT Phillip Freligh (deceased), Heidi Freligh Moore of Arkansas, Melissa Freligh Marion of Oklahoma and Chris Freligh of Jamestown. He is the son of Minnie and the late Howard Freligh.