JASPER, Ala. — A mounting controversy surrounding the Walker County Sheriff’s Office has led to public calls for the resignation of Sheriff Nick Smith, following the indictments of deputies and former jail staff in connection with the death of an inmate.
The scandal dates back to January 2023, when Tony Mitchell, a 33-year-old inmate at the Walker County Jail, died in custody. Mitchell’s family accused the jail of mistreatment, and an autopsy later revealed that he had suffered severe hypothermia. Surveillance footage, which surfaced months later, showed Mitchell in a deteriorated physical state, raising further concerns about the jail’s conditions and treatment of inmates.
The case gained national attention, prompting a broader investigation into the Walker County Jail. Earlier this month, two deputies were indicted on charges related to Mitchell’s treatment, and ten former correctional officers pleaded guilty to various charges. Officials have suggested that more indictments could be forthcoming as the probe continues.
In response to growing public criticism, Sheriff Smith deactivated the department’s Facebook page, citing an increase in “hate, negativity, and vitriol.” The move was met with backlash from residents who saw it as an attempt to shut down public discourse over the scandal.
As pressure on Smith mounted, petitions circulated online calling for his resignation. Residents voiced frustration over the lack of accountability within the sheriff’s office, arguing that Smith should step down for failing to prevent or properly address the abuses within the jail. The Walker County Commission, however, issued a statement clarifying that it has no authority to remove an elected official and that Smith is “entitled to operate his department as he sees fit.”
Despite the public outcry, Smith has given no indication that he intends to resign. Without action from the governor’s office or another state-level intervention, he is likely to remain in his position. Meanwhile, the fallout from the Mitchell case continues, as advocates push for systemic reforms within Alabama’s county jails.