James “Kent” Stephens was born June 21,1962, in Meridian, Mississippi. He was the oldest of seven children. Kent grew up in Newton County and went to school at Beulah Hubbard. After school, Kent got married and became the father of four children: three boys and a girl. At the age of 20, Kent became a carpenter’s helper, and that began his long career as a carpenter when he went on his own at 30 and built and remodeled homes across several counties.
When Kent was 43, he decided to change careers and became a reserve officer with Meridian Police Department as a patrolman. He attended Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy and graduated with class 226 in June 2008. He went full time with Meridian in 2008. During his service, he was honored with a Meritorious Service Award for acts above and beyond the call of duty in the apprehension of an armed individual in 2012. Kent left Meridian in 2015 and began his service to the community of Stonewall part time; then, in 2018 he made it a full time position. In February 2020, Kent stepped into the role of Chief of Police for Stonewall and dedicated himself to the betterment of the community and its residents. In 2024, Kent decided to expand his service and became a deputy for Clarke County, and he continued his role as both chief and deputy until a heart attack dictated his retirement in 2025. Kent still owns a home in Stonewall and is an active participant in the community.
Kent has a strong faith in God, and he and his wife, Stacy, attend Northcrest Baptist Church. Kent also loves old cars and has restored several. His girl “Betsy” is a 1952 Chevrolet Pickup which he and his wife take to one of their favorite places, Cruising the Coast, which they attend yearly. His love of cars goes way back and includes a fifteen year period of drag racing every weekend. He also enjoys motorcycles. He has a love of working with his hands, be it mechanics or carpentry. Most of all, Kent loves spending time with family, especially his five grandchildren whom are the light of his life.
Kent is still busy after his retirement and lives by the mantra “gotta keep rolling.“ His wife believes this keeps him young at heart. Kent’s strong faith in God accompanies everything he commits himself to, and the world is better for it.
