Citizen of the Year: Eric Smith

Eric Smith

Eric Smith was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1976. He was raised in a town about the size of Dresden, called Collins, Mississippi. He graduated Collins High School in 1995 and was chosen as Mr. CHS his senior year. Eric went to the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in 2000 and was awarded the “Top Cop” honors. His father, Stann Smith, has been the sheriff in his home county, Covington County, for 16 years.

Eric married Kerri McCabe Smith in 2004 and she is currently employed by Bethel University. Eric started with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department in 2005. Kerri and Eric moved to Palmersville in 2005 and started their family. They have four children Kaden (13), Briley (11), Kinsley (7), and Breelyn (3), and they attend school in Dresden.

Eric has a massive soft spot for children, so he wrote a children’s book, “Sheriff Smith and Justice Investigate the Bedroom Monster,” in 2013. It’s a children’s book to help the relationship between children and law enforcement.

In 2015, Eric decided to make “Sheriff Smith and Justice” the title of a charity where law enforcement in Weakley County take less fortunate children Christmas shopping. The name of the charity is “Shop With Sheriff Smith and Justice.”

Bendy White of Dresden helped Eric get the charity started when she worked with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department. In the first year, 12 children were taken shopping. The second year, 27 children were taken. The third year, 35 children were taken and last year 50 children were taken. The plan is to take 50 children again this year. Each child is provided with $100 and their own police officer. The children are taken to get clothes, shoes, or anything else they may need and then any toys they want. There are many individuals, from other police officers to volunteers, who help make this special night happen.

There is also a charity golf tournament every year in Sharon to help raise money for the Christmas event. With the help of sponsors and players, the charity is able to make the goal of helping 50 children. Eric hopes the charity continues to be a success so as many children as possible can receive help in Weakley County.

For his community contributions and commitment to family, Eric Smith is the 41^st annual Tennessee Iris Festival Citizen of the Year recipient.