Deputy Chief of Support Joseph (Joey) Smith is a long-time resident of Henry County. He graduated from Henry County Senior High in 1989. While attending Clayton State College he joined the US Marines where he served 12 years in the reserves.  

Smith joined the Henry County Police Department in 1994. He served in Uniform Patrol and later as a Field Training Officer. He spent several years of his career on SWAT as an entry team member and then one of the teams Police Counter Snipers. In 1998 then Detective Smith was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division until promoted to Sergeant in 2002. Sergeant Smith served as a Sergeant in various Supervisory roles while assigned to Uniform Patrol and the Criminal Investigations Divisions. 

In 2012, Sergeant Smith was assigned to Internal Affairs to assist as the Department’s Public Information Officer and Internal Affairs Investigator, as well as background and recruiting. In June 2014, Smith was promoted to Lieutenant over the Internal Affairs Division. July 2015, Smith was promoted to the position of Captain and served as the Commander of the Internal Affairs Division. In February 2017, Captain Smith was assigned as the Commander of the Special Operations Division, which oversees the K9, Traffic, and H.E.AT. (DUI Enforcement), Motors, and C.O.P’s Units. In July 2017, Captain Smith was assigned back to Internal Affairs. 

In October of 2019, Smith was appointed as Major and assigned to command the Criminal Investigations Division and oversees the everyday operations of Detectives, the Crimes Scene Unit and Property and Evidence Unit. In October of 2023, Smith was assigned as the Commander of Uniform Patrol and oversees all uniformed services for the department. In August of 2024 Smith was appointed as Deputy Chief of Support.  

 Deputy Chief of Support Smith has earned various certifications during his law enforcement career and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University and master’s degree in Public Safety from Liberty University. Deputy Chief of Support Smith is a graduate of the FBI’s National Law Enforcement Academy Session #283 and holds a Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.