Former sergeant to replace ousted Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith
Akins vowed to restore communication between agencies and transparency at the department
Ethan Parker 
Jason Akins, a former Sheriff’s sergeant and local businessman, has secured his race for Walker County Sheriff. The victory follows the ousting 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 tally, Akins defeated his challenger, J.C. Poe, by securing 5,899 votes compared to Poe’s 3,628. This comes after a competitive primary where Akins led with 5,993 votes, followed by Poe with 4,930. Smith trailed with 3,144 votes, while Allen Estes received 176.
Restoring Public Trust
The race was largely defined by the shadow of the FBI investigation into the death of 33-year-old inmate Tony Mitchell, who died of hypothermia and sepsis after being held without medical care during a mental health crisis. Both candidates campaigned on the need to rebuild the department's reputation.
Akins, who announced his candidacy in January, noted the importance of the moment, stating, “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.” His platform emphasizes sustainable fixes and better communication with county commissioners, while aiming to address deputy pay without inflating the department's existing budget.
The Road Ahead
Poe, the Jasper Police chief and former chief deputy for the sheriff’s office, had previously run on a platform of refocusing on essential law and order, combating drug crime, and improving emergency responses. In the final days of his campaign, Poe stated in a Facebook post that he intended to serve only one term to stabilize the office.
The department previously struggled with staffing under Sheriff Smith, who had publicly lamented the difficulty of recruiting deputies at $13 an hour when other agencies offered significantly more. Looking forward, Akins—a graduate of Birmingham Southern College and member of the Pineywoods Volunteer Fire Department—plans to approach the office with a focus on transparency and collaborative leadership.
