Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jim Smith has been in law enforcement for 11 years, starting at the Syracuse Police Department before moving to KCSD. In addition to policing, he stays heavily involved in the Kosciusko County community as a service club member, mentor, volunteer firefighter, among other involvements. Smith is also an Army Reserve veteran, having served a tour in Kuwait and Iraq. (Photo by Sarah Wright)

WARSAW — Even as a child, Jim Smith knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up: a police officer. Smith said, “My mom tells me that’s all I would say I wanted to be.”

And having had that dream, Smith stated it was always so cool to see Chad Hill’s — then a deputy with the Kosciusko Sheriff’s Department — parked squad car outside of the old Leesburg Elementary. Smith and friends would often see the squad car while heading out to play basketball.

Smith launched his own law enforcement career at Syracuse Police Department where he started as a reserve officer in December 2005. “I did that for a year and a half and then went full-time in June (2007).”

He spent a total of five years with the Syracuse department, went on to graduate from Indiana Law Enforcement Academy — located in Plainfield — in May 2008 and joined the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department in June 2011 where he is currently a deputy. He has been also a member of the dive team for about five years and is a certified instructor. He has also attended hostage negotiation school.

As for what he enjoys most about the job, Smith said, “I’d say the relationship with the public, helping those in need and assisting those who have been victimized.”

He has enjoyed working at both SPD and KCSD, noting they each had their draws. In Syracuse, he liked the small-town feel and building relationships with its people. As for the sheriff’s department, it offers more activity since it covers a wider area while creating opportunities for promotion.

Smith said, “I’ve done this all together for 11 years, and I still love coming to work each day — I still enjoy it. I don’t dread coming to work.”

His focus on service has carried on into other facets of his life, too. He served in the Army Reserve for 12 years, which included a tour to Kuwait and Iraq in 2003. The tour lasted nine months, with Smith driving trucks during it. Additionally, he’s joined a host of organizations.

“I’m in several different clubs,” Smith remarked. “I’m a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 149, the American Legion — the one in North Webster — the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club, Leesburg Lions Club and recently I was voted on the North Webster-Tippecanoe Chamber of Commerce.”

To top it all off, he is a volunteer firefighter with the Leesburg Fire Department and has mentored the same boy for four years at North Webster Elementary through Kids Hope.

It’s all about getting involved. And like with law enforcement, he said, “I get to know people — know more people. In doing so, I build more of a personal relationship with them, and they feel freer to ask questions about policing.”

He noted in the long run these connections and positive interactions help reduce crime.

Through all his involvements, Smith noted he is grateful for his wife, Trish. Together they have celebrated eight years of marriage. “I receive a lot of support from her with all my involvements. She’s my biggest supporter.”

And when he does have down time, Smith said he loves family time, enjoying camping and riding four-wheelers with his kids, Zachary, 13, and Isabelle, 11, in addition to helping them with their 4-H pigs. He will also drive trucks for a couple of companies.

“I’m also a huge Notre Dame sports fan,” Smith added. “I try and go to a couple football games each year, or basketball. If I can’t go, I at least watch the games on TV.”