The WCSO Aviation Division is ready to assist in the Appalachian Mountains with search & rescue operations, and also to deliver much needed help to the devastated regions of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee.
 
Through the mutual aid, we hope to bring home loved ones, and get critical supplies to affected areas. Captain Ray Capps, and other aviation unit members will lead the team in the coming days, if needed, so remember those in the affected areas, and pray for safe travels of our WCSO staff.
 
We want to thank Sanders Aviation for all of their support of our aviation division. Without them, our helicopter would not fly, nor would we have pilots. We truly thank Joey Sanders, and Sanders Aviation for partnering with us and taking off, both literally and figuratively, with us. Also, we thank the Walker County Law Enforcement Foundation for their support. With our partners, the aviation division is entirely funded by donations, and the fuel is paid for by Sanders Aviation.

Recently, the investigations division has been out enjoying the cooler weather, but still keeping the streets hot. Through diligent and relentless work, their efforts yielded the recovery of several vehicles, and thousands of dollars worth of recovered property.
 
Over in Union Chapel, investigators were following up on tips and leads that led them to a residence near Arrow Road, where a Dodge Dakota was recovered behind an abandoned house. The investigations continued, and within a day or so, a Chevrolet Silverado was recovered near Kelley Drive. The investigation is on-going, and we’ll offer an update as more details develop.
 
Earlier this year, a storage unit was burglarized, and nearly $1,500 of items were taken. After getting out in community, and getting the subjects identified from surveillance footage, warrants were secured and the subject was taken into custody. As the investigation is ongoing, and other persons of interests are being developed, names of arrestees will be released at a later date. This investigation highlights the need for security measures like video cameras, and alarm systems. These tools greatly enhance the ability for investigators to identify and develop persons of interest, and significantly increase the chances of recovering stolen property. 
 
We thank the continued hard work, and selfless dedication of our investigators.

Overnight, the WCSO SWAT and Narcotics teams executed a search warrant on a residence on Thach Loop. One arrest was made, and the individual was taken into custody. More details will be released at a later date.
 
If you have concerns of drug-related activity in your area, send us a tip via our app, which can be downloaded via your phone’s app store.
APP STORE:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/walker-county-sheriffs-office/id1513993773
GOOGLE PLAY:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocv.walkerCountyAlSheriff&pcampaignid=web_share

Effective October 1st, major changes are coming to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office. These changes include a full restructuring and re-allocation of personnel within the narcotics and investigations divisions. Since 2023, the number of personnel in the narcotics and investigations divisions has fluctuated.
 
With this restructuring, Sheriff Smith has ensured that the quality of service provided by the sheriff's office will not be compromised. By consolidating the narcotics and investigations divisions, the office can operate more efficiently and effectively, despite the reduction in positions. The sheriff's decision to limit the number of employees in anticipation of upcoming raises demonstrates a proactive approach to managing resources. By being mindful of budget constraints, the sheriff's office is able to maintain financial stability while still meeting the needs of the community.
 
Moving forward, the combined investigations division will continue to prioritize cases and allocate resources effectively. Sheriff Smith's leadership and strategic decision-making have positioned the sheriff's office to adapt to change and continue providing a high level of service to the community. This consolidation serves as a testament to the sheriff's commitment to public safety and efficient law enforcement practices. While managing budget constraints and working with the commission to help give employees much needed raises .

Technology has arrived for the better treatment of Substance Use Disorder. Through the funding opportunity with Fellowship House Birmingham’s Building Bridges Initiative grant, the Walker County Jail received two 75” smart board monitors and two iMac computers for tele-health, tele-therapy and legal proceeding enhancements.
 
The large size may seem a bit much but by splitting their locations into two venues we can greatly enhance the group sizes of some of our therapy sessions. Our current resources limit our group sizes and the inclusion of new single station tele-conference equipment will allow for greater numbers of inmates to receive therapy services from not only Fellowship house but other resource agencies.
 
These resources are invaluable for those incarcerated, because it expands our current capabilities, and looks to the future by growing the opportunity for inmates to have access to therapy, learning, and self-betterment programs via video conferencing. With these new resources, we can support more people, more types of counseling, more types of courses, and more impactful measures to help for our inmates. We approach incarceration from a rehabilitation, not punitive perspective, and continue to make strides daily to give inmates a chance to flourish into productive members of society.  

Below are the spending reports for the law enforcement fund, jail fund, and inmate medical funds for the month of August. You can view prior month's reports under the WCSO spending tab on our website.

August Totals:
LE Fund: $285,656
Jail Fund: $171,929
Inmate Medical: $78,095

Since 2019, our office has expanded both community programs, and community involvement. From Frog Fest, to Foothills Festival, you’ll see someone there with a tent with the star on it, and a smiling face in tan and green.
 
Today is no different! Sheriff Smith, Deputy Brandon Pugh, several of our office staff, and members of the Explorer Post are out at Hillfest in Carbon Hill. Be sure to stop by, say hello, and grab a few trinkets and things. We caution visitors because a certain sheriff, who we will not name, will be present, and does have a selfie quota, at least in his mind.
 
Don’t be shy and come say hello out at our tent at Hillfest today!

Inmate litter crews once again work under the Friday Nights to keep our facilities clean. We’re glad to offer an opportunity for our inmates to give back to the community. These inmates volunteer for this program, and enjoy the time doing something as simple as enjoying a football game.
 
The Friday night clean up crew is an extension of our clean roads program, and is overseen by our correctional officers. This program works throughout our county to clean up roads, and illicit dump sites. Since 2019, we’ve collected over 3,000 bags of litter, and presented nearly $1,000 to charitable organizations from the recyclables gathered.
 
We continue to find ways to improve quality of life for our citizens, and being able to enjoy the beauty of Walker County is always a treat. By removing trash and debris from the roads, we get to enjoy the rolling hills, creeks, and valleys just a little bit more. Remember, don’t litter, and do your part to keep our county beautiful.

After the recent Curry bomb threat, a student was charged in the juvenile courts with making terrorist threats first degree and interference with public safety communication. I appreciate our SROs, deputies, state troopers, and all first responders that helped resolve this situation quickly and safely.

A bomb threat was called in to Curry High School through 911 today around 3PM. Our bomb threat protocols were initiated and after a quick response and investigation, we narrowed down where the call came from and who made it.
 
Investigators began to attempt to locate the suspect. We will immediately begin the process of filing charges with the DA’s office for making terroristic threats.
 
It has been determined that there was no actual presence of a bomb in the school, and we would like to thank the assistance of all law enforcement and first responders on scene to secure and ensure the safety of our children.