Jefferson County’s First Black Sheriff’s Deputy, who ‘Faced Hardships but Never Wavered’, Has Died
By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al. com The first Black Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy has died. Officials on Thursday announced the death of Sgt. Louie E. Smoke. “Hired back in 1968, Sgt. Smoke was more than just a badge; he was a trailblazer who broke barriers and opened doors for many who followed in his footsteps,” the [.].