Smith is new undersheriff

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News

November 26, 2013 - 12:00 AM

Roy Smith is Allen County’s new undersheriff, replacing Jerry Daniels, who resigned Nov. 18.
Smith has 26 years of law enforcement experience, including previous stints as undersheriff in Neosho County, 1991-1997, and under Allen County Sheriff Robbie Atkins, 2003-2005. He has been on the Allen County force since 2001 and carried the rank of captain when he was promoted by Sheriff Bryan Murphy.
In addition to law enforcement chores, Smith has been in charge of court security and was involved from day one of Drug Court, which started Jan. 24.
“I’m going to continue with court security and see how that works with my undersheriff duties,” which will have him more involved in daily administration of the department, Smith said.
 Smith grew up north of Emporia and graduated from Northern Heights High School in 1978. He earned an associates degree from Allen Community College and attended Emporia State University, before deciding against teaching as a career.
After three years of security work with Iowa Beef Processors in Emporia, Smith started his law enforcement career with Council Grove Police Department in 1987. He joined the Neosho County Sheriff’s Department in 1989 as a deputy and also worked as a detective before being named undersheriff two years later.
Following four years away from law enforcement, during which he refereed high school football, basketball and baseball games as well as odd jobs, Smith returned to law enforcement as an Allen County deputy in 2001.
He continues to referee, including state level and Shrine Bowl games.

SMITH’S law enforcement career was prompted somewhat by discussions with a friend who joined the Emporia Police Department and continues to work there today, as well as his father.
“Dad was a merchant police officer in McPherson, where I was born,” Smith said.
He explained being a merchant officer was “more like being a night watchman. He walked the main street each night.”
As a reminder of his father’s profession and influence, Smith has his dad’s hat, badge and night stick hanging on the wall of his office.

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