Lieutenant Colonel William “Bill” Smith has nearly 7,000 hours of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and over 25 years of law enforcement experience. Bill has fulfilled all three primary duties of the Sheriff, as outlined by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Southwest University. Currently, he serves as Commander of Headquarters Operations at the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.
Bill has received the Medal of Bravery, the Sheriff’s Life Saving Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Crime Prevention Award, and many other medals and honors. Bill and Sonya have been married for 24 years and have three children. His extensive experience and training make him the most qualified candidate for Sheriff of Bartow County.
