‘Change and accountability’

As the countdown to early voting commencing on Feb. 20 ticks away, the Orange County community is weighing a plethora of options for sheriff amid a flurry of focus on the candidates vying for the position. From grassroots activists to esteemed organizations, voices echo in unison, declaring their choice. Among the contenders, one name resonates time and time again with support from fellow first response teams serving the same community: Bobby Smith, the recently retired Texas Ranger and revered local law enforcement figure.

Backed by a chorus of prestigious endorsements from entities such as the Sabine Area Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, West Orange Police Department Officers Association, and former Orange County Sheriff Keith Merritt, Smith said his participation in the race for Sheriff is not just a bid for office; it’s a crusade for change, a clarion call for accountability.

“Change and accountability start at the top with leadership,” Smith asserted with unwavering conviction. “The people don’t want to just get by anymore; they want better.”

With a celebrated career spanning 29 years in law enforcement, including several dedicated to serving the Orange County community, Smith draws on an intimate understanding of the region’s intricate challenges. His vision for the sheriff’s office, Smith detailed, is anchored in proactive measures, particularly in addressing the pressing issue of criminal interdiction exacerbated by Interstate 10’s strategic position as a conduit for illicit activities.

“Orange County needs a criminal interdiction program to detect and apprehend those that have made our county a major pipeline for crime,” Smith said of his agenda if elected, which contains a multifaceted approach, emphasizing the imperative of fostering collaboration among diverse law enforcement agencies.

His proposal includes the establishment of an intercounty and multi-agency task force dedicated to combating narcotics and human trafficking, leveraging pooled resources and personnel across the Golden Triangle region. “People want unity in their law enforcement, and they are best served when all of the agencies are working together.”

Before the current sheriff, Smith said, a criminal interdiction program existed at the sheriff’s office; that program is no longer utilized under current leadership.

“We once had a multi-agency homicide investigation team and multi-agency SWAT teams drawing the best of the best from around the area to join forces, but that is going to take a team effort and new leadership,” Smith said, hoping to bring that corroboration back to the residents of his community.

Drawing from extensive experience patrolling the Texas/Mexico border as a Texas Ranger, Smith underscored the need for proactive measures to curb the influx of criminal activities stemming from cross-border operations. His insights into the dynamics of border security illuminate the intricate challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations seeking to infiltrate and exploit Orange County’s communities, he said.

“There are plenty of families coming here the legal way, and there are plenty of folks involved with the cartel that want to use Orange County as a breeding ground for their illegal activity,” Smith cautioned.

Despite the daunting nature of the task ahead, Smith is standing tall in his touted commitment to elevate the standards of law enforcement in Orange County.

“I’m trying to make the Orange County Sheriff’s Office a premier agency in Southeast Texas. We will raise the bar, recruit and retain highly qualified employees to serve the people of Orange County,” Smith declared with unwavering resolve. “If elected, I will work with the commissioner’s court to request additional officers and ensure that we are offering a competitive wage and working environment.”

Smith’s journey to this pivotal juncture in his career is underscored by a trajectory marked by lauded unwavering dedication and exemplary service. A veteran of the Texas Rangers, Smith’s tenure spans a litany of high-profile investigations, including the tragic 2022 school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, the Santa Fe High School shooting in 2018 and the Twin Peaks biker shootout in 2015, among others. His credentials, including graduation from the FBI National Academy and specialized training from the Force Science Institute, attest to expertise and leadership acumen in navigating complex law enforcement scenarios.

Reflecting on his storied career, Smith’s sentiments resonate with humility and a sense of purpose.

“Speaking for those who do not have a voice and bringing some semblance of closure to families has been the greatest gift of my career,” Smith acknowledged, forgoing fame and accolades for a remembrance of steadfast dedication to the communities he has sworn to protect – especially the community he calls “Home.”

“This is home, and I’d like to serve the good folks of Orange County as their next sheriff,” Smith affirmed in encapsulating the essence of his candidacy: “A pledge of service, forged in the crucible of experience and anchored in unwavering dedication to the welfare of the community.”