Blake Hudson

Blake Hudson was appointed Director of Investigations & Enforcement for the Office of the
Arkansas Lottery in September 2024 by Executive Director Sharon Strong. As the agency’s
chief law enforcement official, Hudson leads all investigative, regulatory, and compliance
operations that protect the integrity and public trust of Arkansas’s lottery system.
A native of West Memphis, Hudson has built a career defined by service across fire, EMS,
law enforcement, & military operations. He began his public safety career as a firefighter
and EMT with the City of West Memphis in 2002 before transitioning into law enforcement
with the Marion Police Department in 2006. In 2009, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard
Reserve and deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later expanded
his medical training as a paramedic, serving in high-volume emergency department
settings and ultimately as a flight paramedic for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in
Memphis, TN.
Hudson entered active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard in 2014, serving in the Pacific
Northwest until a line-of-duty injury led to his medical retirement in 2017. Returning home
to Arkansas, he was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Palestine and later joined
Arkansas State Parks as a law enforcement Ranger. During his tenure, he helped shape the
agency’s modern law enforcement and emergency services division and became only the
second sergeant appointed in the program’s history.
In 2022, Hudson joined the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office as a Special Agent,
investigating complex criminal matters before being selected to lead Investigations &
Enforcement for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
Beyond his state role, Hudson continues to serve in the medical field as a paramedic with
the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Disaster Medical System,
deploying with a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) to support communities during
disasters, public health emergencies, and national special security events.
Hudson lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas with his wife, Kim, and their two sons. Throughout
his career, he has earned a reputation for principled leadership and a steadfast dedication
to protecting Arkansans. His broad experience across public safety, military service, and
state-level law enforcement drives a balanced, mission-driven approach to strengthening
institutions and supporting the communities he serves.