Qualifications of Sheriff Larry R. Smith

EXPERIENCE

Over 37 years experience in local and federal law enforcement
Sheriff of Smith County since January 1, 2013

Almost 16 years supervisory experience in local and federal law enforcement

CAREER TIME LINE

Gregg County Sheriff’s Office
September 1976 – August 1987

Captain Criminal Investigation Division – April 1983 – August 1987

Lieutenant Criminal Investigation Division – December 1980 – March 1983

Criminal Investigator – November 1978 – November 1980

 

U.S. Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration,
August 1987 – September 1989

Special Agent/Criminal Investigator
U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE),
September 1989 – January 2011

Criminal Investigator/Specialist in Fire, Explosives and Forensic Mapping

Task Force Team Leader, National and International Response Team Member

TRAINING RECEIVED

Over 8200 hours training received in local and federal law enforcement including in part:

Fire, Homicide, Explosives, Sex Crime investigation and Management training.

TRAINING PROVIDED

Over 1200 hours training and instruction provided to state, local and federal law enforcement including in part the teaching of Explosives Post-Blast procedures, Fire investigation, interview procedures and Clandestine Drug investigation.

HONORS / AWARDS

Nominated for appointment to West Point Military Academy in 1973 by Congressman Wright Patman

Outstanding Peace Officer Award 1982 East Texas Peace Officers Association

Arial Rios Memorial Award for Leadership, Bureau of ATFE May 1990

National Church Arson Task Force and U.S. Attorney General Award 1999

Johnny Massengale Memorial Award for Explosives Expertise exhibited in Gerdec, Albania 2009

Two Performance Awards Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives

16 additional Special Act or Service Awards from U.S. Department of Justice, ATFE

Career Service Award Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives

COMMENDATIONS

Letter of Commendation Director of ATFE for NRT Pentagon Response 2001

FBI Director Louis Freeh Letter of Commendation June 1998 for Church Fire Investigation

Letter of Commendation, ATFE Assistant Director for East Texas Church Fire Investigation 2010

Letter of Commendation, ATFE Special Agent in Charge for East Texas Pipe Bomb Investigation 2010

14 additional local and federal Letters of Commendation

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, University of Texas at Tyler 1986

Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, Kilgore Junior College 1976

MEMBERSHIPS

Sharon Shrine Temple competing on the Sportsters Competition Trap and Skeet Team

National Rifle Association

Texas State Rifle Association

COMMUNITY/CHARITY WORK

Supporting hospitals for crippled children, burn victims through the work of the Sharon Shrine Temple

Rose Capital East Youth Baseball Coach

Pop Warner Football Coach

Boy Scouts of America Assistant Scout Master

PERSONAL

Born in Big Sandy, May 20, 1956. Graduate of New Diana High School where he lettered in four sports.
Turned down an appointment to West Point to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Married 25 years to the former Leslie Leigh Tillery, native of Mobile, Alabama

Leslie is employed as a registered nurse at Chapel Hill Middle School.

Family includes son, Landan, and daughter, Lauren, who attend the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College, respectively.

Attend Green Acres Baptist Church where they have been members since 1989.
Larry serves on the church’s Security Committee and Leslie is a preschool volunteer.

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, shooting trap and playing golf

Resident of Tyler since 1989.