Former sergeant to replace ousted Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith
Akins vowed to restore communication between agencies and transparency at the department
Mason Reed 
Walker County is set for a leadership change at the sheriff's office. Jason Akins, a local businessman and former sheriff’s sergeant, has secured a victory in the race for Walker County Sheriff. Akins will step in following the departure of former Sheriff Nick Smith, whose term was marred by a federal investigation, 25 indictments, and numerous guilty pleas linked to a 2023 inmate death.
A Decisive Victory
In the final head-to-head, Akins defeated opponent J.C. Poe with 5,899 votes to Poe's 3,628. This follows a competitive primary season where Akins led the field with 5,993 votes, ahead of Poe (4,930), Smith (3,144), and Allen Estes (176).
Reflecting on his platform during his January announcement, Akins expressed a desire to enact positive change for the county's citizens. Akins, who serves on the board of the Pineywoods Volunteer Fire Department and is a member of Desperation Church, has emphasized a need for transparent communication with county commissioners and staff.
Rebuilding Trust
The transition comes after a turbulent period for the department, defined by the death of 33-year-old inmate Tony Mitchell, who died of sepsis and hypothermia after being held in the county jail. While former Sheriff Smith previously highlighted difficulties in staff recruitment due to pay—noting in 2023 that other local agencies offered significantly higher starting wages—Akins maintains that his priority is to improve compensation without expanding the department's existing budget.
Akins describes this transition as an opportunity to start on a "fresh foot," focusing on sustainable solutions. "Not only do you want to fix some of the things that are broken or damaged, you want to do it in a way that is sustainable for the future," he said.
The Path Forward
Opponent J.C. Poe, the Jasper Police chief and a former chief deputy, had campaigned on a platform of "no-nonsense management" and a focus on improving emergency response and law and order. Prior to the vote, Poe had shared on his Facebook page that he intended to serve only one term to clean up the office and restore accountability.
