Sheriff A.J. "Tony" Smith proudly serves as the Sheriff of Franklin County, leading the Franklin County Sheriff's Office with a commitment to integrity, professionalism, and community service.   Sheriff Smith has a dedicated career in law enforcement with more than four decades of service.  He was first elected in 2016 and has successfully spearheaded and implemented many initiatives to improve our community, such as increased transparency, the FCSO Charity Fund, aggressive campaigns to fight illegal drugs, rehabilitation programs, and other issues related to quality of life for citizens. Guided by a servant-leadership philosophy, he remains committed to building public trust while ensuring the safety and well-being of the citizens and visitors of Franklin County. 

Sheriff Smith’s favorite part of the job is building meaningful connections with the community through events like the Sheriff’s Office Jingle at the Jail and the Fall-O-Ween Festival. What inspires him most is witnessing true transformation—seeing individuals who once struggled with addiction now sober, thriving, and giving back to the community.  Equally important to him is caring for his team at the Sheriff’s Office, ensuring they feel supported, valued, and ready for whatever each day brings.  Moments like these remind him why service matters and why coming together can change lives.