In 2019, there was a small room downstairs at the WCSO that was used for informal meetings, and storage. It wasn’t anything significant, at the time. Upon Sheriff Smith taking office, he learned of a great need for a computer lab and classroom for inmate programs. That room soon became much more than a storage area.
 
Sheriff Smith began to secure funding and equipment to build the new learning center in the jail. A grant was secured to purchase over 10 brand new workstations, a smart board, and forge relationships with local partners, like Bevill State, to offer in-house instruction to our inmates.
 
Now, 5 years later, hundreds of hours of coursework have been completed, and over 10 different programs meet in the educational resource center. You may ask yourself, “why would I care about a classroom with fancy name,” but we offer a simple response. It is opportunity. The things that there are not a lot of in jail are hope, and opportunity. By giving an inmate a chance to better themselves while on the inside, their chances of personal and professional success skyrocket on the outside.
 
We remain committed to bettering our communities and county, and this is another way that we can positively impact the people that need it the most.

In a feel-good follow-up, we're glad to share that our inmates are receiving their glasses from The Lions International. We’re so glad that they have partnered with us to provide high quality eye care for our inmates!

Dr. Kent Daub with Lionsight of The Lions International stopped by to offer eye examinations, and new eyeglasses for inmates that needed them. These outside medical resources are vital to providing our incarcerated individuals with quality medical care.

Having excellent vision means not only seeing the world around you more clearly, but giving a person confidence and hope to better themselves. Most of all, it shows that we are ready to invest into the lives of people experiencing the toughest times of their life.

We are thankful for Dr. Kent Daub with Lionsight of The Lions International, and all of our partners that sow into the lives of our inmates. They give them hope, knowledge, and opportunity to grow when they are released. That is truly something to be excited for! As your sheriff, we will continue these invaluable programs, and look forward to expanding upon them.

Last night, Narcotics Investigator RJ Richardson made three arrests following the execution of a search warrant on Pleasant Grove Road, in Oakman. During the search, over 72 grams of suspected methamphetamine were found, which is over 2 and half times the amount required to charge for drug trafficking, and worth over $1400 on the street.
 
Loralyn Noelle Trotter, age 39 of Nauvoo, warrant with Jasper Police Department.
Kasey Joe Mote, age 34 of Jasper, warrant with Jasper Police Department.
Noah Ferguson, age 46 of Oakman, Trafficking Methamphetamine

WCSO Narcotics Investigators executed a search warrant recently on Redmill Saragossa Road. Investigators seized a quantity of methamphetamine, and arrested two individuals. Those arrested were as follows:

Amanda Mae Woods, age 49 of Saragossa, arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Keith Dewayne Frazier, age 60 of Saragossa, arrested for a failure to appear warrant in traffic court.



We appreciate the information and tips we receive from the public. If you have information on drug-related activity in your neighborhood, call us at 205-302-6464, or send us an email to [email protected]

Inmate litter crews have been busy these days! We’re proud to offer our inmates opportunities for outdoor enrichment, and especially a way to give back to the community.
 
Our inmate litter crews have been working hard since 2019, and continue under the watchful eye of CO Farrar. They have picked up hundreds of bags over the summer, and fall means cooler weather, and easier conditions!
 
If you know a road that needs to be cleaned, fill out the form on the clean roads tab of the WCSO website!

Recently, Deputy Douer took time to put the squeeze on crime, and maybe a few lemons!
 
A local cheer squad was selling lemonade, and needed some extra security, so Deputy Douer decided to lend a hand. We’re excited to report that lemonade sales increased exponentially, and shenanigans were in-progress.
 
We’re excited to be a part of our vibrant community, and are happy to help out any way that we can. If you have a lemonade stand or any other event, we’ll be glad to stop by!

Sheriff Smith has been a proponent of attending to inmates’ physical, mental, and spiritual needs since day one of his tenure as sheriff, and even as his time as chief in Cordova. With the mercy project, and other wellness initiatives, we’re excited to report a great thing happening in our facility.
 
Recently, over 20 inmates were baptized, signifying a renewal of their commitment to themselves. This moment, alone, is something to be celebrated. It shows that our county inmates are wanting change, and are taking steps to better themselves. The county jail is no longer a place just to serve their time, but to truly make a positive change in their lives.
 
We’re proud to offer our inmates these opportunities, and look forward to helping people better themselves, in any way we can.

Since 2019, Walker County has seen a remarkable change, thanks to an initiative led by Sheriff Smith. Inmates from the county jail have been actively working to improve local stadiums and roadways, benefiting both the community and their own rehabilitation. The Friday Night Lights have always left behind a mess, but our inmates have worked to leave it better than before.  Sheriff Smith's program provides inmates with meaningful work, including trash collection, graffiti removal, and general maintenance. This not only helps to beautify public spaces but also gives inmates a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

The program has been well-received by the community, with residents noting the cleaner and more attractive stadiums and roadways. Inmates also appreciate the opportunity to contribute positively and develop a stronger sense of self-worth. This initiative is becoming a model for other areas, showcasing how community service can be effectively combined with correctional work. Plans to expand the program are underway, aiming to involve inmates in even more projects and further benefit Walker County.

Overall, Sheriff Smith’s program highlights a successful blend of service and rehabilitation, improving public spaces while offering inmates a path to personal growth and reintegration.

On Wednesday, August 21st, the Cordova Police Department received a call from a Cordova High School student that a firearm was brought onto campus. Cordova PD notified the school administration, and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office of the potential item.
 
The WCSO and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office K9 units responded, and completed a search of the school as CPD officers secured the school. No firearms or items of note were found during the search.
 
CPD and the WCSO are working together to continue to investigate this incident, and any other incident that may occur at our county schools. Student safety is paramount, and alongside the School Resource Officers, partner agencies, and the Walker County BOE, we will continue to keep our schools a safe learning space.
 
If you ever see something, say something. Your information may prove invaluable for preventing an incident and ensuring school safety.