Sheriff Smith headlining Troup chamber banquet

Sheriff J.B. Smith will be the featured speaker at the annual banquet for the Troup Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 28.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Following the meal, guests will move to the auditorium.

The chamber will identify citizen of the year, firefighter of the year, police officer of the year and business of the year.

Also honored will be teachers of the year from each campus as well as the presentation of a lifetime achievement award.

A new award this year will be the auxiliary/ paraprofessional employee of the year for the school district.

Display tables will be set up as members enter the building to show items of interest and information. The City of Troup will be on hand to give citizens their first glance at a proposed zoning map.

Tickets are on sale now for $15 or two for $25. The meal, consisting of brisket and extras, will be served by the Troup Women's Civic Organization.

To purchase tickets, donate door prizes or set up a booth, contact the chamber at 903-842-4113.

"Our banquet is a little early this year," President Mike Cline said. "We really wanted to have Sheriff Smith as our speaker and this is when he was available."

Sheriff J.B. Smith has been continuously elected sheriff of Smith County since 1976. He is a graduate of the National F.B.I. Academy and the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.

He has over 2,500 hours in additional schooling ranging from psychological profiling to forensic hypnosis. He supervises approximately 300 full- and part-time employees and oversees the state's 10th largest jail.

Due to the investigative work of his employees, the sheriff has appeared on CNN Live with Larry King and on CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. His department was recently featured on ABC Primetime Live for its investigation of a high profile murder case.

The sheriff's message, "laugh at yourself or you're in a heap of trouble," mixes a cowboy's wit and a Texas sheriff's humor.

Since 1976, Smith has averaged over 100 lectures and entertainment speeches per year.