Incumbent Sheriff
NICK SMITH
FOR SHERIFF
Proven Leadership. Safer Communities.
Results Since 2018.
Proven Leadership. Safer Communities.
Results Since 2018.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11
Nick Smith is a dedicated Republican sheriff who proudly calls Walker County his home. Born and raised here, he graduated from Curry High School, where his community connections run deep. A member of the Living Light Church of God, Nick is a devoted family man, married to his wife, Tabatha, since 2006. Together, they are raising four wonderful children, three of whom they welcomed into their family through foster care right here in Walker County.
With a robust 21-year career in law enforcement, Nick has consistently demonstrated his commitment to serving the community. He began his journey working two or three jobs to support his family, eventually serving as the Chief of Police in both the Town of Parrish and the City of Cordova. For the past seven years, he has proudly served as the Sheriff of Walker County, having been elected for two terms, and he is now seeking a third term to continue his service.
Under Sheriff Nick Smith's leadership, Walker County has seen significant advancements in public safety and community engagement. Here are just a few of his accomplishments:
Despite the challenges posed by politics, Sheriff Nick Smith has accomplished a great deal for Walker County and is committed to continuing this important work. Join him in making Walker County a safer and stronger community for all.
I want to take a moment to share some insights from my time in office, not to criticize any administration but to shed light on the journey we've taken over the past few years. As I share posts and videos in the coming months, I hope to provide a clearer picture of the situation when I first took office, the progress we've made, and the challenges we've faced along the way. As the month moves forward, I will begin to show the behind-the-scenes politics I have faced along the way.
When I stepped into this role in 2019 and toured the county jail, I was struck by the conditions that were, frankly, unacceptable. It felt like a facility that belonged in a third-world country. I met over 400 inmates in a 280-bed facility, many of whom had been stuck in county jail for 6-8 years. This was a pressing issue that needed immediate attention.
I reached out to local judges, the District Attorney, the circuit clerk, and county commissioners to address this situation. We needed to work together on getting these individuals the legal resolutions they deserved, and ultimately reduce the burden on county tax dollars by getting them to prison and off county tax dollars. At the time, I worked with our senator who collaborated with the Department of Corrections, and we made weekly Monday runs to prison with inmates.
Since then, we've made significant strides. We've remodeled the jail to meet code requirements and installed over 100 cameras compared to just 5-7 when I took office. Each dorm had one working toilet. Today, we are handling an average of 110 inmates daily, with a lower crime rate than years ago.
But that's not all. When I was elected, we had eight hours of medical coverage, and that's a topic for another post. We've expanded our medical coverage to 24 hours a day, introduced mental health treatment, and now have a counselor visiting the jail 3-4 times a week. A nurse practitioner is also on hand to address mental health issues and substance use disorders, and we're currently working toward a full-time mental health nurse practitioner.
Moreover, we've partnered with various treatment providers and agencies to ensure that individuals in our facility receive the support they need. We offer one-on-one peer support, group classes—both in-person and virtually—covering a wide range of topics, including substance use and parenting. Our jail is a certified level one treatment facility. When I was elected, I said we'd focus on the drug problem by targeting dealers and traffickers while helping those who want rehabilitation.
Every sheriff since the existence of the jail has had to deal with politics and problems in the jail, so have I, and so will the next sheriff. I'll address all of those issues; you just didn't hear about them, and it will all make sense when I get to addressing them.
While we have made significant progress, there is still work to be done. Here are pictures from day one to show our progress through the years, and we are still working to improve.
No Sheriff would ever want jail deaths to happen in their jail. However, jail deaths aren't a new development across the State and Walker County. In fact, in the nine years before I took office, there were 15 in-custody jail deaths in the Walker County Jail. In the eight years since I've been sheriff, there have been only 4. And while 4 is 4 more than you would want, that decrease shows a 73% improvement at preserving the lives of inmates. We made that vast improvement through a full remodel of the jail, as well as an increased focus on healthcare, nutrition, mental health treatment, and reducing overcrowding.
Sheriff Nick Smith pushed for — and achieved — 24/7 inmate medical coverage, a major leap forward from the 8-hour coverage under past administrations. Inmates now have round-the-clock access to medical care.
Smith expanded programs focused on mental health, addiction recovery, and rehabilitation, helping inmates transition successfully and reducing the number of repeat offenders.
Despite tight budgets, Smith prioritized safety. He ensured critical corrections positions were fully staffed, even using overtime when necessary, keeping officers and inmates safe around the clock.
Sheriff Smith has been open and direct with the public and the county commission — clearly laying out realistic overtime costs, essential medical contracts, and the sharp rise in fentanyl-related hospital transports.
Under Smith, the jail saw major upgrades in surveillance systems, booking software, and internal tracking tools, boosting safety, reducing liability, and ensuring accountability throughout the facility.
When Sheriff Smith took office, over 400 inmates were sitting in jail waiting for trial, many for 6–8 years. Today, the jail population averages 110–120 inmates — while maintaining a low county crime rate. This was achieved by:
Opponents talk about "cutting overtime" and "tightening spending" — but offer no realistic plan for running a 24/7 medical facility or managing an active jail during a public health and drug crisis.
To date, no opponent has presented a serious plan to improve jail operations, reduce the backlog of inmates, or confront the mental health and drug crises affecting our county jail.
Sheriff Nick Smith didn't just talk about jail reform — he delivered it.
From 24/7 medical care and reduced inmate populations, to modern technology and recovery programs, Smith's leadership has brought results.
The D.A.R.E. program, taught by School Resource Officers, aims to equip young people with the tools they need to resist peer pressure and live healthy, drug-free lives. Throughout the program, students engage in interactive lessons that cover topics such as the dangers of drug use, conflict resolution, and the importance of self-esteem.
Their commitment to learning and embracing the principles of the D.A.R.E. program is commendable. We believe that this knowledge will serve them well as they navigate their teenage years and beyond.
"We are grateful for the partnership between the Board of Education and the Sheriff's Office. Programs like D.A.R.E. play a crucial role in shaping our students' futures and fostering a safe, supportive environment for their growth."
Under Sheriff Smith's leadership, our department has made significant strides in combating the drug problem plaguing Walker County. Through dedicated enforcement efforts and community partnerships, we have removed dangerous substances from our streets and held dealers accountable.
Our dedicated litter crews have worked tirelessly to clean up roadside areas and ballgame venues throughout Walker County. This ongoing effort demonstrates our commitment to maintaining a clean, beautiful community for all residents and visitors to enjoy.
Pioneered the first School Resource Officer (SRO) program in the county's history, collaborating with the Board of Education to enhance safety in our schools.
Tackled the drug epidemic head-on, making over 3,000 drug-related arrests and focusing on drug traffickers and dealers while promoting rehabilitation.
Transformed the county jail into a Level One rehabilitation facility in partnership with The Fellowship House, providing recovery options for hundreds.
Implemented 24/7 medical and mental health care in the jail for the first time, along with Fit for Duty training for deputies.
Established the WCSO Aviation program, utilizing helicopters and drones for search and rescue missions, successfully locating missing persons through community donations and grant funding.
Launched 14 community programs to strengthen relationships between citizens and law enforcement, including the impactful Good Morning program for seniors living alone.
Achieved a remarkable 46% reduction in property crime since 2018 through comprehensive community policing initiatives.
Implemented community service programs that engage inmates in picking up trash along roadways and at sporting events, collecting over 100,000 bags of trash.
The pay for the Sheriff's Department is controlled by the Walker County Commission. When I became Sheriff, deputies were making just $13.66/hour. Today, after nearly eight years of pushing, we've raised it to $16.34/hour — still the lowest in Walker County. And yet, we patrol 814 square miles and respond to over 20,000 calls a year.
At the time, the top-out pay for a deputy — even after 25 years of service — was just $19.19/hour. And whether you had two decades of experience or none, you started at the same rate. That's not just unfair; it's uncompetitive.
These problems didn't start with me, but I've fought every single year to fix them. I've pushed for experience pay, longevity incentives, and education bonuses — the same benefits most other departments already offer. I've been stonewalled and targeted for trying, but I've never stopped fighting for what's right.
We've lost good deputies — not because they wanted to leave, but because they couldn't afford to stay.
To help make the first raises possible, I took over inmate feeding, saving the Commission nearly $300,000. Even then, I was told I had to cut 15+ employees just to get the last raise approved.
Here's the truth: A Sheriff doesn't control pay. The County Commission and Civil Service Board do. A Sheriff can't control:
I've stretched every dollar. I've fought for every raise. I've made the hard decisions to protect our team, our community, and our future. The outdated system we're working under makes it a challenge for any Sheriff to succeed.
Daily Mountain Eagle coverage highlighting Sheriff Smith's efforts to secure better deputy pay through innovative cost-saving measures in jail operations.
Despite systemic challenges and limited authority over pay decisions, Sheriff Smith has successfully increased deputy wages by nearly 20% and continues fighting for competitive compensation that Walker County deputies deserve.
Under Sheriff Nick Smith's leadership, the Walker County Jail has seen dramatic improvements in inmate safety and care, as reflected in these critical statistics:
| Time Period | Total Inmate Deaths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Smith Era (2010–2018) | ~15 | Spanning approximately 9 years |
| Smith's Tenure (2019–2024) | ~4 | Reflects improved oversight and care |
| Total (2010–2024) | ~19 |
This 73% reduction in inmate deaths during Sheriff Smith's tenure demonstrates his commitment to professional jail management, improved medical care, and enhanced safety protocols that protect the lives of those in custody.
"As for the Smith family we are voting NICK SMITH. No we are not related, we are a whole different set of Smiths but you couldn't tell me that!! We are voting Nick Smith all the way. Nick has stuck to his word for keeping our streets clean and keeping our families safe. Not only does he go above and beyond, But the way God has been moving through him he has brought so many people closer to God. I've witnessed Gods work through him, and I'm here to witness more. The programs that Nick has put into the jail has helped tremendously! I wouldn't want anybody else to keep my family & myself safe! We love our county and we love the family friends we've made. VOTE NICK SMITH FOR YOUR SHERIFF"
"I vote for Nick Smith, a Sheriff who I see is working hard every day for the community of Walker County. Having lived in many countries and cultures I am grateful for Nick Smith who makes me feel safe in Jasper, which is not to be taken for granted in this day and age. A man of faith, family and integrity - that's Nick Smith for you"