About Mike Smith

Early Life and Foundation of Character

Sheriff Mike Smith’s life and career are rooted in Utah County, where he was born, raised, and taught the value of hard work, integrity, and service from a young age. He grew up working side-by-side with his father hauling hay, chopping wood for winter, raising livestock, shoeing horses, working in the family garden, and taking on construction jobs. Those long days and physically demanding tasks were more than chores; they were daily lessons in responsibility, perseverance, and honesty.

Mike’s father passed away too soon in a tragic car accident. That loss left a deep impression on him and further cemented the lessons his father had taught by example: be straightforward, be dependable, and do the right thing even when it is difficult. He often reflects on his mother as one of the strongest influences in his life as well. He describes her as an amazing woman of strength and wisdom, and one of his greatest supporters. Her ability to endure hardship with faith and quiet courage helped shape the steady, calm leadership style that would later define his law enforcement career.

As a young man, Mike worked on a local potato farm, putting into practice the work ethic instilled in him at home. He attended school in Pleasant Grove and graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1989. Shortly after, he devoted two years to serving his church in Boston, Massachusetts. That experience broadened his perspective, strengthened his compassion, and gave him daily practice in listening to people from all walks of life—skills that would become invaluable in policing and public leadership.

By far, Mike will tell you that his greatest accomplishment in life is not a title or an office; it is his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Bren in 1992, and together they have five children—two daughters and three sons—and are the proud grandparents of a granddaughter and a grandson. He is deeply proud of his Utah County heritage and feels genuinely blessed to live and raise his family in such a beautiful community. For him, protecting Utah County has never been abstract; it is about protecting his own family and the families of his neighbors.

Entering Law Enforcement and Rising Through the Ranks

In 1994, Mike began his law enforcement career with the Pleasant Grove Police Department. Over the next two decades, he served in nearly every role available in a municipal police agency. He worked as a patrol officer, motor officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. Along the way, he also served as an internal affairs officer and as a member of a joint criminal apprehension team with the U.S. Marshals Service, where he contributed to the successful location and arrest of violent offenders.

His leadership and tactical skills were recognized early. In 1998, Mike was selected to be a member of the newly formed Utah County Metro SWAT Team. He would serve on SWAT for 18 years, earning promotions to team leader and then forward operations commander. In this capacity, he led high-risk tactical operations, critical incident responses, and complex multi-agency deployments. He became known for balancing officer safety, community protection, and sound judgment under extreme pressure.

From 2006 to 2012, while still serving in Pleasant Grove, Mike also served as a reserve deputy for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. This dual service allowed him to see both city policing and county law enforcement firsthand, giving him a rare and valuable understanding of how agencies can and should work together. His time with the Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy helped shape his later vision for a collaborative, county-wide approach to public safety.

Education and Professional Development

Sheriff Smith has always believed that a law enforcement leader must be both a practitioner and a student. He pursued higher education while working full-time, earning an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Services Administration – Emergency Management from Utah Valley University.

In the summer of 2011, Mike attended and graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia—a milestone achieved by a small percentage of law enforcement leaders nationwide. There he trained and studied alongside law enforcement professionals from across the country and around the world, deepening his knowledge of leadership, crisis management, ethics, and modern policing practices.

This blend of hands-on tactical experience and formal education in emergency management uniquely prepared him to lead in times of calm and in times of crisis.

Service as Chief of Police – Pleasant Grove, Utah

In 2012, after nearly two decades of service, Mike Smith was appointed Chief of Police for the Pleasant Grove Police Department. As chief, he guided the department through a period of modernization, emphasizing training, professionalism, and strong partnerships with the community. He worked closely with city leaders to align policing priorities with community needs, improve efficiency, and maintain high standards of service with limited resources.

Under his leadership, Pleasant Grove focused on community-oriented policing and strengthening trust between officers and residents. Mike fostered a culture where officers understood that every call, whether large or small, represented someone’s worst day. He emphasized treating everyone with dignity and ensuring that constitutional rights were upheld in every contact.

His experience as a chief also gave him insight into the challenges faced by city administrations, police departments, and county governments. This perspective would later prove invaluable as he sought to unify efforts between multiple agencies as sheriff.

Election as Utah County Sheriff

In 2018, Mike ran for Utah County Sheriff on a platform of integrity, innovation, and partnership. He was elected in August 2018 and is now serving in his second term as Utah County Sheriff.

From his first day in office, Sheriff Smith has actively sought not just to maintain the status quo, but to significantly improve law enforcement in Utah County and to support law enforcement throughout the state. He has served as First Vice President and then served 2 terms as President of the Utah Sheriffs’ Association and now serves as its Past President, helping shape policy, training priorities, and collaborative efforts statewide.

As sheriff, Mike emphasizes a “team approach” to public safety—bringing together deputies, city police agencies, civic leaders, schools, community organizations, and everyday citizens to share responsibility for keeping Utah County safe. He consistently reinforces that the badge is not a symbol of power, but of service, and that every resident deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness.

Training, Professional Standards, and Deputy Wellness

One of Sheriff Smith’s most significant contributions has been raising the bar for training and professional standards within the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.

He implemented “The Outward Mindset” training for every deputy—a three-day course focused on improving interactions with the public and with each other. Under his leadership, Sheriff Smith and designated deputies became certified Outward Mindset facilitators, allowing the department to sustain this culture shift over time, not just as a one-time class.

He also established new training standards in arrest control, autism awareness, de-escalation, and implicit bias, ensuring deputies are better prepared to respond with both skill and empathy. Recognizing that leadership must be continually developed, he implemented command staff leadership study requirements, expecting his leaders to keep learning and modeling excellence.

Understanding the emotional and psychological toll of law enforcement, Sheriff Smith instituted a comprehensive mental health and wellness program. Every deputy is required to meet at least once a year with a mental health professional, with additional visits available as needed. He secured grant funding for the “Healing Heroes” neurofeedback therapy program, offering deputies advanced support for dealing with trauma, stress, and cumulative emotional strain.

He also led the creation of a new policy manual and training process that keeps deputies up to date with changes in the law and best practices from across the nation. Under his leadership, core values were clearly defined and communicated—professionalism, accountability, teamwork, fairness, public trust, integrity, and respect—so that every member of the Sheriff’s Office knows what is expected and what the community deserves.

Transparency, Accountability, and Public Trust

Sheriff Smith believes that public trust is one of the most critical assets in law enforcement. Early in his tenure, he oversaw the deployment of body-worn cameras and implemented policies requiring their use. This move increased transparency and provided clearer documentation of deputy–public interactions.

He voluntarily opened the Sheriff’s Office to audits by the County Auditor’s Office to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Instead of resisting outside review, he welcomed it—demonstrating a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement. Those audits helped refine operations, improve stewardship of public funds, and reinforce to the community that the Sheriff’s Office has nothing to hide.

His leadership in public forums—whether discussing policy decisions, jail operations, or partnerships—has consistently emphasized constitutional rights, fairness, and doing what is right even when it is not easy.

Constitutional Leadership and Protection of Rights

During a period marked nationally by civil unrest, political tension, and intense scrutiny of law enforcement, Sheriff Smith stood firmly for both public safety and constitutional rights.

He played a key role in drafting and supporting a Utah County resolution affirming protections guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. He also helped draft and secure the signatures of all 29 sheriffs in the State of Utah on a document pledging their dedication to safeguarding constitutional rights, including Second Amendment rights, for the citizens they serve.

In addition, Sheriff Smith was instrumental in efforts to place the Office of Sheriff under explicit protection in the Utah Constitution, helping to ensure that future generations will have a locally elected, accountable sheriff who answers directly to the people. Utah voters approved that measure, underscoring public support for this constitutional office and the accountability it represents.

Throughout these efforts, Sheriff Smith worked to keep the focus on individual liberties, due process, and the responsible exercise of government authority, even amid pressure, controversy, and national debate.

Corrections Innovation and Inmate Programs

As Utah County Sheriff, Mike Smith has overseen a number of innovative programs in the Corrections Division that focus on rehabilitation, responsibility, and second chances.

He championed “A New Leash on Life”, a program that partners at-risk rescue dogs from animal shelters with jail inmates who are taught to train the dogs in obedience and socialization. The program benefits both the animals and the inmates: dogs gain a new chance at adoption, and inmates gain responsibility, purpose, and the therapeutic benefits of working with animals. Local coverage has highlighted the positive outcomes of this program for dogs and inmates alike.

Sheriff Smith also supported the expansion and enhancement of the RISE Program, a rehabilitation program for inmates struggling with substance abuse and life-controlling issues. Through RISE and associated jail industries such as the jail kitchen, inmates learn life skills, job skills, and new patterns of behavior that help reduce recidivism once they return to the community. Media coverage has showcased inmates in the RISE program learning to cook, work as part of a team, and prepare meals not only for the jail but also for community programs like Meals on Wheels.

In 2025, Sheriff Smith partnered with the Hope Foundation to create and implement a new suicide-prevention curriculum for inmates — the first of its kind in the county’s jail system. This curriculum provides evidence-based education on mental health awareness, warning signs of self-harm, emotional regulation, crisis response strategies, and peer-support tools. By introducing structured suicide-prevention training inside the jail, Sheriff Smith has taken proactive steps to reduce inmate self-harm incidents, increase resilience, and strengthen emotional support networks among incarcerated individuals.

This partnership reflects Sheriff Smith’s belief that corrections should offer more than confinement — it should offer healing, education, and the opportunity for meaningful change. Through programs like RISE, New Leash on Life, and now the Hope Foundation suicide-prevention initiative, the Utah County Jail has become a model for humane, forward-thinking rehabilitation efforts.

Emergency Preparedness, Critical Incidents, and Pandemic Response

Sheriff Smith has also significantly strengthened emergency preparedness and critical incident response in Utah County. He expanded emergency management operations to better support countywide emergencies and coordinated responses to multiple large-scale wildfires and other major incidents, working alongside local, state, and federal partners.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, his leadership helped ensure continuity of essential services while protecting both the public and vulnerable populations. The Utah County Jail kitchen program prepared thousands of meals for the jail and for the Meals on Wheels program, even as staff managed COVID exposures among inmate workers. Under Sheriff Smith’s direction, the Sheriff’s Office supported expanded food assistance for seniors and the homebound, helped secure and distribute personal protective equipment, and supported testing and vaccination efforts—all while being careful to safeguard individual rights.

He also ensured that additional resources were available to cities across Utah County to protect life and property during periods of civil unrest, providing a stabilizing presence while respecting lawful demonstration and free speech.

Building Specialized Teams and Countywide Capabilities

Recognizing the changing nature of public safety threats, Sheriff Smith helped create a countywide public disorder and civil unrest team to protect communities from riots and large-scale disturbances. This team enhances the county’s ability to respond quickly and professionally to emerging threats while using appropriate tactics and de-escalation whenever possible.

He also led the creation of an officer-involved critical incident investigation team to handle investigations into officer-involved incidents with greater independence, consistency, and thoroughness. This team approach improves transparency, enhances investigative quality, and helps ensure timely, accurate reporting to the public and to involved families.

Additionally, Sheriff Smith strengthened volunteer engagement through the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) programs, expanding their duties, training, and numbers to provide increased presence and safety in recreational areas such as mountains and canyons. These volunteers extend the reach of the Sheriff’s Office, providing additional eyes and ears while building bridges between law enforcement and the community.

Public Outreach, Teachers Academy, and Community Engagement

Public outreach has been a defining hallmark of Sheriff Smith’s tenure. He understands that law enforcement cannot succeed without public understanding, trust, and involvement.

One of his most notable initiatives is the Teachers Academy, a multi-week, 20 plus hour training course for teachers and school employees. The academy trains educators in critical skills needed to protect students and survive an active killer incident, including medical trauma and life-saving skills, de-escalation, self-defense, situational awareness, critical incident response skills, and, where appropriate, safe firearm handling. Multiple local and national news outlets have highlighted this academy as an example of proactive school safety training, noting that Sheriff Smith’s goal is not to arm teachers with weapons, but to “arm them with knowledge.”

He has also overseen expanded social media and public communication efforts, increasing transparency and helping residents better understand what their Sheriff’s Office does on a daily basis.

Sheriff Smith founded the Utah County Sheriff’s Honorary Colonels Program, an organized group of civic-minded community members who assist in providing needed resources to the Sheriff’s Office and to communities across the county. The Colonels support training, equipment, community events, and charitable efforts, reflecting the sheriff’s belief that public safety is a shared responsibility.

He further developed the Teachers Academy with follow-up sessions in expanded de-escalation training, demonstrating a commitment not just to a single course but to building ongoing proficiency among educators.

Transparency Initiative: Participation in “60 Days In” (2023)

In 2023, Sheriff Mike Smith made the unprecedented decision to allow the production team of the television series “60 Days In” to enter the Utah County Jail and film a season of the nationally televised program. This decision was not made for publicity or entertainment value; rather, it was a deliberate and courageous step taken in the interest of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the jail system.

Sheriff Smith agreed to participate only after careful consideration and with a clear purpose:

to expose any weaknesses, identify problem areas, and gain honest, unfiltered insight into the experiences of inmates and deputies. By allowing outsiders to operate undercover within the jail, he demonstrated a rare willingness to open the Sheriff’s Office to public scrutiny in order to strengthen operations and better serve the community.

Throughout the process, Sheriff Smith emphasized that the goal was to improve conditions, enhance safety, elevate training, and correct any systemic issues—not to showcase the agency or dramatize jail operations. His decision reflected his core leadership belief that effective public service requires humility, openness, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths when necessary.

The resulting season of 60 Days In provided valuable lessons and operational insights. Sheriff Smith used the findings to implement improvements, provide additional training, refine procedures, and further reinforce a culture of professionalism and accountability within the Utah County Jail.

His participation in this transparency initiative demonstrated forward-thinking leadership rarely seen in law enforcement and further strengthened public trust in his commitment to honesty, integrity, and continual improvement.

Leadership in Major Critical Incident — Charlie Kirk Investigation

In September 2025, Utah County experienced a highly publicized and deeply unsettling tragedy when political commentator Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. The event occurred in a crowded venue, generating immediate national attention, intense community concern, and widespread media coverage. The suspect fled the scene, prompting a multi-agency manhunt involving local, county, state, and federal law-enforcement partners.

During this crisis, Sheriff Mike Smith provided strong, steady, and highly coordinated leadership. Under his direction, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office worked closely with partner agencies to ensure public safety, gather critical evidence, process an overwhelming number of tips from the community, and maintain transparent, timely communication during a tense and emotionally charged period. Authorities quickly identified the suspect, and within days, the suspect was located and taken into custody following coordinated inter-agency work and public cooperation.

Following the arrest, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office issued official public communications confirming the suspect was in custody and moved swiftly into the charging phase. Sheriff Smith publicly expressed gratitude for the assistance of citizens, neighboring law-enforcement agencies, and investigative partners — reinforcing confidence in the collaborative effort that led to a safe and swift resolution.

Media coverage of the investigation highlighted the complexity of the case, the rapid mobilization of resources, and the cooperation among multiple agencies during a situation that drew national scrutiny. Sheriff Smith’s calm, factual public updates helped reduce misinformation, ease community fear, and reassure residents that the investigation was progressing with professionalism and diligence.

Sheriff Smith’s involvement in the Charlie Kirk case reflects his commitment to transparent communication, inter-agency cooperation, and measured leadership during high-pressure incidents. His ability to guide Utah County through a major crisis — while safeguarding constitutional rights, maintaining public trust, and upholding investigative integrity — demonstrated the steady leadership expected of a sheriff entrusted with the safety of an entire county.

Service, Family, and Ongoing Commitment

Throughout his more than 30 years in law enforcement, Sheriff Mike Smith has remained, at his core, a husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, and lifelong Utahn who loves his home county. He continues to volunteer through his church and community; he spends his time outdoors with his wife, children, and grandchildren; and he approaches his office with the same values his parents taught him in the fields, barns, and job sites of his youth.

He has consistently demonstrated integrity, courage, humility, and a willingness to tackle difficult issues—whether that is modernizing training, opening the Sheriff’s Office to audits, standing up for constitutional freedoms, or giving inmates and at-risk youth a second chance. His leadership has left Utah County safer, better prepared, more connected, and more compassionate.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES & STATEWIDE APPOINTMENTS

Sheriff Mike Smith has been repeatedly recognized by state leaders for his experience, judgment, and ability to represent both law enforcement and the public in matters of statewide importance. As a result, he has been appointed to numerous legislative and policy committees — many of them selected directly by the Governor, Attorney General, and legislative leadership. These appointments reflect a high level of trust in his professionalism, constitutional grounding, and public-safety expertise.

Sheriff Smith has served and currently serves on the following statewide committees and commissions:

• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program Committee

Works with federal, state, and local partners to combat major drug trafficking networks and coordinate intelligence-driven operations throughout the region.

• Federalism Commission

Advises the Utah Legislature on issues relating to federal overreach, constitutional protections, state sovereignty, and the balance of government authority.

• Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee (JPEC)

Participates in evaluating the performance and effectiveness of Utah’s judiciary to ensure accountability, fairness, and public confidence in the legal system.

• Utah Sentencing Commission

Provides guidance to the Legislature on sentencing policies, criminal-justice reform, and statewide standards designed to promote fairness, consistency, and public safety.

• Legislative School Safety Task Force

Collaborates with legislators, educators, and public-safety professionals to develop evidence-based school-safety strategies, improve emergency planning, and enhance violence-prevention measures.

• Personal Privacy Oversight Commission

Reviews data-privacy practices and emerging technologies to ensure that government agencies protect individual rights while effectively carrying out their public-safety missions.

• Law Enforcement Legislative Commission

Works directly with legislative leadership to review proposed laws impacting policing, corrections, and criminal justice, ensuring that new legislation is both effective and practical for agencies in the field.

These appointments demonstrate statewide confidence in Sheriff Smith's leadership, his understanding of constitutional principles, and his ability to bring common-sense guidance to complex public-policy issues.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Sheriff Mike Smith’s dedication, integrity, and exceptional leadership have earned him recognition from multiple professional associations, state organizations, and public-safety groups. These awards underscore his long-standing commitment to serving the people of Utah County and the State of Utah with distinction.

2005 – Committee Service Award- Pleasant Grove Mayor & Council Committee

Awarded by the Pleasant Grove Mayor and City Council in recognition of exceptional service, commitment, and contributions to city committees and civic programs.

• 2005 – Outstanding Service Award – Pleasant Grove Chief of Police

Awarded by the Chief of Police for exemplary dedication, leadership, and superior performance within the Pleasant Grove Police Department.

• 2009 – Exemplary Service Award- Pleasant Grove Police Department

Presented for exceptional professionalism, dependability, and outstanding contributions to the operations and mission of the Pleasant Grove Police Department.

• 2016 – Outstanding Service Award- Pleasant Grove Police Association

Awarded by the Pleasant Grove Police Association in recognition of distinguished service, strong leadership, and exceptional support of officers and departmental initiatives.

• 2021 – Utah Sheriffs’ Association “Lawman of the Year”

Recognized for outstanding leadership, professionalism, and contributions to public safety statewide.

• 2023 – Fraternal Order of Police “Sheriff of the Year”

Honored by Utah’s largest law-enforcement fraternal organization for excellence in service, advocacy for officers, and commitment to constitutional policing.

• 2023 – Best of State “Public Safety Officer” Award

Awarded for exceptional achievement, innovation, and community impact in law enforcement.

• 2023 – Utah Sheriffs’ Association “Sheriff of the Year”

Acknowledged by Utah sheriffs for exemplary leadership, integrity, and collaborative statewide efforts.

• 2023 – Utah Association of Counties “Outstanding County Sheriff of the Year”

Recognized by county leaders for his strong partnerships, effective governance, and contributions to countywide public safety.

• 2024 – Utah Department of Public Safety Recognition Award

Presented for significant contributions to statewide public-safety initiatives and inter-agency cooperation.

• 2025 – Utah Sheriffs’ Association “Lawman of the Year”

Received for a second time for continued excellence, leadership during major incidents, and commitment to deputy wellness and constitutional rights.

• 2025 – American Legion “Officer of the Year”

Awarded for distinguished service, integrity, community involvement, and commitment to upholding the values of the American Legion.

Media & Press Coverage Featuring Sheriff Mike Smith

I. Career, Swearing-In & Professional Background

1. Daily Herald – Aug. 21, 2018

Title: “Mike Smith is officially sworn in to fill Utah County Sheriff vacancy”

Relevance: Ceremony coverage, photos, career background, and public statements as he became Sheriff. Shows professionalism, community support, and qualifications.

2. Deseret News – Aug. 21, 2018

Title: “Pleasant Grove police chief sworn in as new Utah County sheriff”

Relevance: Statewide coverage of his swearing-in, highlighting career history, leadership, and public confidence.

3. KSL/AP – June 27, 2018

Title: “Smith leading in primary to decide Utah County sheriff”

Relevance: Shows public support, qualifications, and political trust in his leadership.

4. Deseret News – June 23, 2018

Title: “Race for Utah County sheriff to be decided by GOP primary”

Relevance: Background on election, qualifications, credibility as a county law-enforcement leader.

5. Utah Sheriffs’ Association – Sheriff Directory

Title: “Sheriff Mike Smith”

Relevance: Official statewide profile with background, service history, education, and philosophy.

6.  Utah Valley Magazine “FAB 40” (2019)

Publication: Utah Valley Magazine — FAB 40 Issue

Year: 2019

Feature Subject: Sheriff Mike Smith (Age 48)

In 2019, Utah Valley Magazine selected Mike Smith as one of Utah Valley’s FAB 40, highlighting influential community members making a meaningful impact in Utah County. At the time, Mike Smith was 48 years old and had just completed one of the most demanding periods of his life — simultaneously campaigning for Utah County Sheriff, being elected, and beginning his first term in January of that year.

The magazine profile emphasized both his professional journey and his personal life. Among the significant milestones that year, Mike and his family celebrated the marriage of their eldest daughter while their second son left home to serve a full-time LDS mission.

Prior to becoming Sheriff, the article noted that Mike had served more than six years as the Chief of Police in Pleasant Grove, and had been with the Pleasant Grove Police Department since 1994.

Mike described the experience of running for public office as:

“One of the most challenging, difficult, emotional, painful, although rewarding experiences in my professional career to date.”

Highlighted Story – “Save the Day”

The feature included a dramatic account from Mike’s time in law enforcement — a pursuit and apprehension of an armed and dangerous burglary suspect:

A burglary triggered a security alarm.

An officer encountered the suspect exiting a store while loading stolen items.

The suspect fired shots at the responding officer and fled in a vehicle.

During the pursuit, the suspect abandoned his vehicle and carjacked another citizen at gunpoint.

Later in the day, Mike Smith and his partner located the suspect.

After another vehicle and foot pursuit, they apprehended the suspect without any harm to the community, officers, or to the suspect himself.

This story illustrates Mike’s professionalism, courage, tactical discipline, and commitment to preserving life — even in extremely dangerous situations.

The FAB 40 profile also highlighted the human side of Sheriff Smith:

Desired Superpower:

 “It would be pretty cool to fly. I could save a lot of money on gas and avoid traffic. Best of all, no more TSA lines when I travel.”

Kryptonite:

“I am actually a shy person. I try to step out of my comfort zone and force myself to not be shy. Running for public office seemed to help with that.”

Secret Identity:

“I’m a family man. I open up with them. I laugh with them, I cry with them, I tease them, they tease me, and I tell them dumb dad jokes.”

These details showcase his humility, humor, and devotion to his family — making the feature a strong piece for demonstrating character in your award application.

7. A&E Network – 60 Days In (Season Bio)

Title: “Sheriff Mike Smith” (A&E)

Relevance: National profile summarizing SWAT leadership, PGPD career, and law enforcement experience.

8. Interview about 60 Days In on A&E - July 4, 2024

This is a video interview with Sheriff Mike Smith tied to his work on the A&E show 60 Days In

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWC6dEcfX9c 

II. Teachers Academy & School Safety — Major Press Coverage

9. KUER (NPR) – Aug. 9, 2021

Title: “‘You Don’t Have To Be A Victim’: Utah County Sheriff Prepares Educators For Active Shooter Situations”

Relevance: One of the strongest articles showing national-quality leadership in school safety and training.

10. Daily Herald – June 9, 2019

Title: “Utah County Sheriff’s Teachers Academy instructs how to stop a school shooter”

Relevance: Deep look into curriculum, scenarios, preparedness; highlights Mike’s innovative training philosophy.

11. Salt Lake Tribune – July 5, 2019

Title: “Armed Utah teachers practice responding to school shootings”

Relevance: Shows early popularity and importance of the program; emphasizes safety and training discipline.

12. FOX 13 – May 25, 2022

Title: “Utah County Sheriff’s Office prepares teachers with active shooter training”

Relevance: Features Mike explaining proactive school-shooting preparedness across Utah County.

13. KUTV – June 17, 2024

Title: “Utah school employees given police training to help in case of emergency”

Relevance: Highlights the multi-day Teachers Academy curriculum and Sheriff Smith’s leadership.

14. FOX News – March 5, 2024

Title: “Utah bill encouraging teachers to get firearms training passes legislature”

Relevance: National-level spotlight using Utah County Sheriff’s Office photos; ties his training to statewide policy conversations.

15. UCSO Press Releases – 2023–2025

Titles: “Next Teachers Academy starts in June” / “Sheriff Smith’s Teachers Academy Taking Applications”

Relevance: Official documentation verifying program frequency, structure, and longevity.


III. Corrections, RISE Program, & New Leash on Life

16. iHeartDogs – Dec. 21, 2021

Title: “‘New Leash On Life’ Program Rehabilitates Anxious Rescue Dogs And Utah Inmates”

Relevance: National coverage of a humane and effective inmate program Sheriff Smith expanded.

17. Daily Herald Photo Essay – Oct. 14, 2020

Title: “A New Leash on Life” (Photo Feature by Isaac Hale)

Relevance: Visual documentation of inmates training rescue dogs — powerful, humanizing evidence.

18. UCSO Facebook – 2021

Title: “Thanks to Daily Herald for coverage of New Leash on Life Program”

Relevance: Confirms community and media attention.

19. Daily Herald / KSL – 2020–2021

Title: “Meals on Wheels support from Jail Kitchen during pandemic”

Relevance: Shows food preparation for thousands of seniors and vulnerable residents through jail re-entry programs.

IV. Community Service & Charitable Work

20. Daily Herald – Dec. 19, 2023

Title: “Christmas dinners given to 1,300 families at Tabitha’s Way events”

Relevance: Quotes Sheriff Smith personally; demonstrates years of holiday community service.

21. Isaac Hale – Dec. 21, 2020

Title: “Sheriff Mike Smith loading food at Tabitha’s Way”

Relevance: Photo documentation of hands-on charitable service.

22. Local Community Newsletters – 2023–2024

Titles: “Sheriff of the Year congratulatory notices / Meals on Wheels support”

Relevance: Validates awards and community recognition.

V. Leadership in Major Incident — Charlie Kirk Investigation (2025)

23. PBS NewsHour – Sept. 15, 2025

Title: “What to know about the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination”

Relevance: National context of the incident, public safety challenges, investigation timeline.

24. Utah News Dispatch – Sept. 10, 2025

Title: “Charlie Kirk shot during event at Utah Valley University”

Relevance: Day-of coverage; shows scope of incident during which Sheriff Smith led county response.

25. News coverage- multi stations Sept. 12, 2025

News clip features Sheriff Mike Smith giving remarks about the investigation and thanking the public for helping find Charlie Kirk’s killer.

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk60SUwCfbs

26. CBS News – Sept. 13, 2025

Title: “Charlie Kirk shooting: suspect in custody after manhunt”

Relevance: Confirms suspect apprehension after multi-agency operation Sheriff Smith helped coordinate.

27. NewsNation- Sept. 2025

Short Facebook-hosted video with Smith and Undersheriff Shaun Bufton discussing the Charlie Kirk assassination. :

https://www.facebook.com/NewsNationNow/videos/charlie-kirk-suspect-on-special-watch-in-jail-utah-sheriff-elizabeth-vargas-repo/793907389892067/ �

28. Civic Digital- November 9, 2025

Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith talking about the Charlie Kirk case:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFilc2H24Gk

Sheriff Mike Smith briefly discusses the Charlie Kirk case, focusing on law enforcement’s coordinated response and thanking the public and partner agencies for their help during a tragic situation.

VI. Pleasant Grove Police Department Early Career

29. KSL – March 11, 2015

Title: “4 Utah County police chiefs hail from Pleasant Grove High’s class of ’89”

Relevance: Shows long-standing local roots and likable, humanized early-career profile.

30. Policy Letter – Fight Crime: Invest in Kids (2018)

Title: “Law Enforcement Leaders Sign On to Protect Kids from Opioid Crisis”

Relevance: Lists him as Pleasant Grove Police Chief, showing statewide respect.