Alabama sheriff voted out of office after inmate’s death, massive federal investigation

Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith is officially out of office following a turbulent reelection bid. Smith’s exit comes in the wake of a massive federal investigation and a string of criminal convictions involving his jail staff, sparked by the 2023 death of inmate Tony Mitchell.

The Runoff Outlook

Voters have narrowed the field, setting up a Republican runoff between a former sheriff’s sergeant and a former chief deputy. Election results show Jason Akins leading the pack with 5,993 votes, followed by J.C. Poe with 4,930. Smith secured 3,144 votes, while Allen Estes finished with 176.

Akins, a former sergeant with the department, centered his campaign on restoring transparency and rebuilding community trust. In a statement released during his January candidacy launch, Akins emphasized his commitment to the citizens, stating, “I will meet or speak with anyone and answer any questions they may have. I truly believe that we, the people of this county, have an opportunity to make change that will impact our county and the lives of every single citizen in a positive manner.”

Challenger J.C. Poe, who currently serves as the Jasper police chief and previously acted as the sheriff’s office chief deputy, has pledged to bring experienced, no-nonsense management to rebuild the department and restore public trust in the Walker County sheriff’s office.

A Shadow Over the Office

Sheriff Smith, first elected in 2018, presided over a tenure marred by controversy. The department faced a federal investigation, 25 indictments, and multiple guilty pleas from his staff following the death of 33-year-old Tony Mitchell. Mitchell passed away from sepsis and hypothermia after being left without medical care on the floor of a jail cell known as “the Freezer” after suffering a mental health episode.

The tragedy made national headlines, triggering an intense FBI probe. Investigators uncovered harrowing details, including evidence that deputies admitted to stomping on Mitchell’s genitals while he remained handcuffed. Records indicate Mitchell was left naked on the floor amidst his own feces.

While Smith consistently advocated for better deputy pay—noting in 2023 to 205focus.com the difficulty of recruiting for $13 an hour—the department’s issues have deep roots. A 1995 consent decree mandated basic living standards for inmates, and while that legal agreement ended in 2006, the facility has continued to face lawsuits alleging brutal beatings and extreme medical neglect.

Candidate Profiles

Akins, a Birmingham Southern College graduate and former district executive with the Boy Scouts of America, is a board member for the Pineywoods Volunteer Fire Department and a member of Desperation Church. He framed his run as a faith-based mission to protect the community from fear and ensure that authority serves with honor.

Poe brings a long history in law enforcement to the table. After attending the University of Alabama Police Academy in 1978 and serving as a Jasper patrol officer, he spent 18 years with the Walker County Sheriff’s Department, rising to the rank of Chief Deputy. As a candidate for sheriff, his platform focuses on “refocusing on essential law and order policing efforts, tackling drug-related crime, and improving emergency response coordination.”