In 2023 Anthony “Tony” Mitchell was abused and murdered while in the custody of the Walker County Sheriff's Office after his family requested a wellness check. For two weeks Tony suffered heinous acts of abuse and neglect while in custody that ultimately led to his death. The autopsy report made clear that Tony’s death was a “homicide” and that he had succumbed to sepsis and hypothermia due to his treatment. A reality that the Sheriff and his department tried to cover up by false reports and lies to the public in hopes of obscuring the truth about Tony’s murder.

For two years community members have been advocating for Tony with protests, vigils, letter writing campaigns, and constantly going before our elected officials demanding justice. In 2023 we collected more than 4,000 signatures to call for Nick Smith to do the right thing and resign. In those two years a federal investigation has led to nearly 20% of the Sheriff’s staff pleading guilty or being indicted (so far!) for the murder of Tony Mitchell and the abuse of other inmates. 

This call for accountability and transparency has not only been ignored, but has been framed as a type of pseudo-religious persecution by the Sheriff, who would go on to reward and promote the very people directly involved in Tony’s murder and stand by his employees who sought to intimidate citizens. 

It is clear that Nick Smith has no interest in doing the right thing, and so now, we, the people of Walker County, are no longer asking him to resign… we are now demanding his impeachment.

Under Title 36 - Public Officers and Employees- Chapter 11 -Impeachment of the Alabama State Constitution, residents have the legal right to call for the impeachment of elected officials who have met one or more of the following criteria:

1. Willful neglect of duty;
2. Corruption in office;
3. Incompetency;
4. Intemperance in the use of intoxicating liquors or narcotics to such an extent in view of the dignity of the office and importance of its duties as unfits the officer for the discharge of such duties; or
5. Any offense involving moral turpitude while in office or committed under color thereof or connected therewith.

We, the citizens of Walker County, are petitioning for the removal of Sheriff Nick Smith from his elected position for the willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, incompetency, and the loss of more turpitude as is made abundantly clear not only in the abuse and murder of Anthony "Tony" Mitchell, but the Sheriff's lack of honesty, transparency, and his continued commitment to promoting and awarding those directly involved in Tony's murder.

Tony Mitchell’s death was a brutal violation of human rights, inhumane treatment, and overall gross negligence that has made a mockery of our community and left a family devastated. Under Sheriff Smith’s leadership, a culture of abuse and neglect has been promoted within the Walker County Sheriff's Office. A culture that not only enabled, and covered up the abuse that led to Tony’s death, but rewarded his subordinates for such egregious behaviors toward inmates.

In the two years since Tony's murder, eleven officers have pleaded guilty to crimes related to the abuse of Tony Mitchell and other inmates, and two additional officers have now been indicted for abusing Tony before he ever made it to the jail due to the ongoing FBI investigation. These two officers have been placed on paid leave by the Sheriff despite these indictments. 

Despite all of these facts, Sheriff Smith remains in office, failing to take any semblance of responsibility for the culture of abuse and neglect that has flourished under his leadership. Sheriff Smith has failed in his sworn duty to protect and serve the people of Walker County. His lack of leadership, transparency, and accountability has cultivated a culture of inhumane treatment and abuse of power have run unchecked by our elected officials.

The people of Walker County deserve better than a sheriff who allows such egregious violations of human rights to occur under his command. 

By signing this petition, you as a citizen of Walker County, AL are joining with others to demand that the proper county authorities and State officials initiate the impeachment proceedings against Sheriff Nick Smith in accordance with Alabama law.