Former Charles City County Sheriff Javier Smith passes away

By Andre Jones | October 18, 2020 10:03 am

Former Charles City County Sheriff Javier Smith passed away last night (Oct. 17).

Smith served as Charles City County’s Sheriff from 2008-2016. He served as a member of the sheriff’s office as a deputy for 11 years prior to being elected the position. Smith was working as a deputy for the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office as part of their court system prior to his untimely passing.

Among one of Smith’s biggest accomplishments as sheriff of Charles City was his assistance in the capture of Delvin Barnes. With assistance from neighboring New Kent County and federal authorities, Smith and his department was instrumental in capturing the Barnes, a Charles City fugitive, who made national news when he kidnapped a woman from Philadelphia off the streets. Smith and the sheriff’s department was working a local case on Barnes when the national incident took place.

“This was a collaborative effort among Charles City Sheriff’s Office, New Kent Sheriff’s Office, and federal agencies,” said Smith at that press conference. “It’s with great teamwork that we are able to get someone like this off the street and make not only Charles City, but this nation a safer place.”

Even when Smith was not employed by the county, he continued to serve both his church and the Charles City community. Never wavering from his faith in God and desire to make sure everybody was treated fairly, he reached out and volunteered at many community functions.

When Smith ran for the position of sheriff in the county, he emphasized the greater picture and not singling out his office from others under his watch as a member of law enforcement.

“It’s not just about Charles City’s Sheriff’s Office, but the community as a whole,” he said in a 2019 platform. “Service is not only about making decisions for the office, but decisions to help the community in a changing world.”

Smith will forever be remembered as a man who loved serving God, his family, working in law enforcement, and loved serving the citizens of Charles City County.