Waller County Sheriff R. Glenn Smith died Aug. 1 from an apparent heart attack, according to a press release from County Judge Trey Duhon.
The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Aug. 5 at Community of Faith Church, and the internment will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 6 at Hemphill Cemetery, according to his obituary, which was published by Canon Funeral Home.
Smith became the Waller County sheriff in 2008 and had more than 40 years of law enforcement experience, according to the obituary. He was 61 years old when he died.
“Sheriff Smith cared deeply for all the citizens of our county and the employees under his care,” Duhon said in the release. “This comes as a huge shock to all of us here [in] the County, and our thoughts are prayers are with his family at this time.”
For 30 days beginning Aug. 1, flags in the county will be flown at half-staff to honor Smith’s service to Waller County, Duhon said.
Additionally, Waller County Fire Marshal Brian Cantrell has started a fundraising campaign to collect donations to assist the Smith family with the financial burden of the funeral and associated costs. As of 11:35 a.m. Aug. 3, more than 20 people have donated, for a total of $4,040 out of a $10,000 goal.
Waller County Deputy Chief Joe Hester is the acting sheriff for the county, Duhon said in an Aug. 3 email to Community Impact Newspaper. He added that Waller County Commissioners Court will consider an interim appointment to serve the remainder of Smith’s term at the Aug. 5 court meeting.
In the November general election, Waller County residents will cast votes for a new sheriff. The Democratic nominee is Cedric D. Watson, and the Republican nominee is Troy Guidry, who received 53.97% of the vote in the July 14 primary runoff election against Smith, according to unofficial results from the Waller County Elections Office.
"The WCSO will continue to operate as it has, smoothly and efficiently," Duhon said in the Aug. 3 email. "Although Sheriff Smith has passed away, he has a number of administrative personnel that will continue to perform their duties to ensure that all of the services of the WCSO are maintained throughout this transition period without interruption."
