Meet Jud Smith, Barrow County Sheriff and lifelong resident.

Jud has 20 years of experience in law enforcement and has invaluable community knowledge.  We’d like to thank Jud very much for sitting down with us to discuss his experience living and learning in Barrow County.

Hometown Kid

I was born and raised in Barrow County. My parents have owned a business here — Smith Funeral Home, for forty plus years. I’m a proud product of the Barrow County Schools. I went to Winder Elementary, Winder-Barrow Middle School, and I graduated Winder-Barrow High School in 1994. My wife, Stephanie, and I live here still with our two children, Conyer and Addison.

I went on and played baseball at Middle Georgia College, a junior college in Cochran, Georgia. In my freshman year, 1995, we won a national championship. In my second year we ended up going back to the national championships and placed third.

Moved to Columbus State down in Columbus, Georgia where I got my bachelors degree. Not long after, I decided I wanted to get into law enforcement. This is now my 20th year in doing what I love.

Law Enforcement Lifer

I originally applied with all the federal departments and the GBI, which just didn’t go anywhere. I never really thought much about serving where I lived because I was kind of afraid to be overstepping my boundaries with family, friends, people I went to school with. But my dad told me that I ought to try Winder Police Department.

Ironically, we ran into the Police Chief at the time. I told him I was looking for a job and he said to come in and see him that afternoon. I went in, filled out an application and two days later, he hired me!

It was the coolest thing in the world to get hired by the police department in Winder, GA.

I was there almost 10 years. In my time there I was a housing officer, then I became a supervisor. The majority of my time was spent working in lower income areas of the county.

Prayerfully, I decided with my wife Stephanie, that I was going to run for Barrow County Sheriff in 2008. I got elected and have been there for three terms now. I’ve been very blessed.

20 Years of Progress

You know, the change has definitely been for the positive. I remember growing up with my dad in the funeral business, that everywhere we went, everybody knew him and he would speak to everyone. Now, you may not know people that have moved in, but it’s tremendous for Barrow County’s growth.

Honestly, I think people still look at this area and think we’re behind the times. Barrow County still has that hometown feel but we are very progressive and I think we’re on the cusp of exploding into a big industry area.

The Barrow County School System is excellent! These schools prepared me to take on the world back in 1994 and they’re still doing the same thing for young people. In fact, both of my children are in this school system and I couldn’t be more proud to say that.

We also have great public safety in my opinion, though I’m biased, of course.

Barrow County Eats

I have to give my good friend Chris Humble a shoutout and say that Casey’s is certainly one of my favorite places in town to eat. But I’m telling you we’ve got A LOT of good spots.

Top Dawg is a good one. Little Italy for Pizza and Smokin’ Po Boys has fantastic barbecue. We don’t eat out a lot but when we do, it’s generally those places.

Jud’s Faces of Barrow Nominations

I mean I could name 100 people.

Brad Akins. He has a story that most people don’t know. He owns the largest independent dealership in the southeastern United States. But what’s not as well publicized is that Brad has a tremendous heart for the people of this community.

Linda Blechinger, the Mayor of Auburn would be a great one. Linda has a great story. I cried when first heard her tell it.

Sally Brown from Adult Literacy Barrow is a great one. She runs GED programs trying to bring literacy up. We did a program where 19 inmates have gotten their GED.

Isaiah Berry. Coach Berry. The County Commissioner is legendary.

These are just some of the people that I would nominate as Faces of Barrow County.

We hope you enjoyed learning about Jud and his story.

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